Paul Stuart Collins

On Friday morning, November 27, 2020, Paul Stuart Collins, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 86.

Paul was born on January 20, 1934, in Glendale, CA to Guy and Stella (Bringgold) Collins. He was the third of the Collins’ four children. When Paul was 21 months old, he moved with his parents and older brother Robert, to Pine Island, MN, where his father worked as a family farmer. Paul was raised on his parents’ farm, and on August 10, 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Arlene Mary Andrist.  Paul and Arlene had been married for 62 loving years at the time of Arlene’s passing in March 2020. Together they raised two sons, Brian and Mark.

Paul was devoted to his family and spent the majority of his life as a husband, father, and grandfather. In 1964 Paul and Arlene moved, with their older son Brian, to Piscataway, NJ for Paul’s job, where Mark was born. Paul and Arlene raised their boys in Piscataway until they were grown and had families of their own. Professionally, Paul spent nearly 40 years as a human resources executive with Pharmacia (now a part of Pfizer). After Paul’s retirement from Pharmacia in 1997, Paul and Arlene moved from New Jersey to Delaware to be closer to his son Mark and family.

Paul survived the death of his son Brian in 2009, with grace, dignity, and the ever-present support of his wife, Arlene. In 2012, Paul suffered a stroke from which he never fully recovered.

However, with the love and support of Arlene, Paul was able to enjoy his remaining years with his wife and family in happiness and comfort.

Anyone who knew Paul knew of his interests in cars, country music, and Western films, as well as his love of genealogy and family history. During retirement, when he was not in the garden with Arlene, Paul spent his time researching the history of the Collins and Bringgold families. Paul’s genealogy work sits proudly in the homes of his remaining family members as a reminder of the patriarch who taught them the importance of family roots and remembering our loved ones.

Family was always of utmost importance to Paul, as he was always willing to make sacrifices and lend a helping hand, regardless of time or cost. Throughout each hardship, Paul’s faith never wavered and he continued to be a force of strength for those he loved. Paul will always be remembered for his integrity, steady determination, quiet strength, and devotion to family.

Paul is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arlene Mary Collins, his son, Brian Paul Collins (Gina Blaemire), his parents, Guy and Stella Collins, and his siblings, Robert Collins (Bonnie), Larry Collins (Karen), and Charlene Collins. He is survived by his son Mark (Rebecca), his grandchildren Lauren (Dan), Caroline, Charles, Kent and Amelia, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Pine Island Historical Society in Pine Island, MN.