Obituary of Peter "Pete" Collins

Peter Collins, age 66, passed away peacefully at his home in Burlington on Friday, February 20, 2025 with his loving family by his side. 

Born in Dunedin, FL on January 19, 1959, he was the eldest of four children born to the late William G. Collins and June E. (Cotter) Collins.  Pete graduated from Austin Preparatory School in 1977 and quickly followed in his father’s footsteps to become an arborist.  Working on trees became a legacy in the Collins’ family, and  like his father, Pete passed along his knowledge and talents to his own son.  Pete proudly worked for Marquis Trees for over 20 years.  

From a young age, Pete was a very athletic person, excelling not only in baseball, but in hockey and football.  His love for baseball didn’t waver  the older he got.  He always kept close tabs on the Red Sox, and even joined a 30+ league that helped keep his love for the game alive.  It could be said that Pete was never happier than when he was playing baseball.  He even played at Fenway Park and in Ft. Meyer’s, FL  on the Red Sox spring training field. In his free time, Pete also enjoyed driving his Harley Davidson motorcycle.   He also loved spending time with family at “The Cottage”,  the family home in NH, as often as possible and found great solace being by the lake.  To his core, Pete was a kind, caring, gentle soul who was fiercely protective of the people he loved.  Whether it was his children, stepchildren, grandson, siblings, or girlfriend he could always be counted on to be there for them if life got tough.  He played a large role in his grandson and step grandchildren’s lives and was an immensely proud “Papa Pete”.  The memories he made with not only them, but his entire family, were filled with love and laughter, and will last a lifetime. 

Surviving Pete are his children, Peter Collins, Jr.of NH; and Khristina Tumei of FL; his beloved grandchildren, Peter Collins, III, Corbin and Kayssa Fletcher, and Jaiden and Joey Silva;  his siblings, Pamela Hall and her husband Bruce of  CO, William Collins, III and his wife Michelle of Burlington, and Paula Robinson and her partner Stephen Butcher of Burlington; his stepchildren, Jessica McMahon and Vanessa Silva and her husband Joe; his dear girlfriend, Shawn Shubin of Billerica, as well as many other dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 25th from 4 pm until 6 pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington.  His Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home at 6 pm.  As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Pete’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society.