PAUL F. COLLINS ROCKLEDGE

CMSgt Paul F. Collins, born in Boston, MA on June 29, 1945, died on Saturday, September 6, 2008 after a long battle with cancer.

He joined the US Air Force in 1963 and spent the next 26 years traveling with the Air Force; with over nine years of overseas travel, including several tours of Vietnam. He retired from the Air Force as the maintenance superintendent at Homestead AFB in 1988. His career in the Air Force left him many awards and commendations to include many Meritorious Service medals, Air Force Commendation medals, and Good Conduct medals.

After retiring from the Air Force, Paul worked at the Vehicle Assembly Building at Cape Canaveral, working on the shuttle program with Thiokol Corp. Following that, he worked with defense contractor Dyncorp at Patrick Air Force Base, and again traveled frequently, mostly to South America in his job as Maintenance Superintendent.

Paul retired for good in 1997 and spent his time enjoying fishing and boating. He always had a love of the ocean and leaves behind many friends at Manatee Cove Marina, where he spent a lot of his time.

Paul is survived by his wife, Angel of Rockledge; his brother, Michael Collins of Franklin, NC, and his sister, Margartet Yoder of Titusville, FL.

Private services will be held at a later date in NC. Family requests no flowers.

If desired, memorial donations can be in his name to Wuesthoff Hospice and Palliative Care, 8060 Spyglass Hill Rd., Mel bourne, FL 32940.

Family extends thanks for the care Paul received from Dr. Mostafavi and the Viera Family Practice staff ,and his home nurse, Pat Palmer, RN, and all of Wuesthoff Hospice. Arangements are entrusted to Atlantic Mortuary, 633-3002.