Kevin James Collins
Kevin James Collins, 72, passed away on November 14, 2020 in Houston, Texas with his two beloved sons at his side, after a hard fought battle with prostate cancer.
Kevin was born on May 27, 1948 in Buffalo, NY. He spent his life inspiring others and his smile could light up a room. Throughout his life, Kevin was an active member of the deaf community. He had the innate ability of loving everyone around him regardless of communication barriers.
He attended grammar and high school at Saint Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo. During his time away at school his siblings missed him and every Friday when he returned home was a joyful, fun-filled family reunion. It was at St. Mary’s that he blossomed into a star student and athlete, excelling at basketball and track. His high school teams were noted for winning National Deaf tournaments and were highly competitive in the Buffalo Catholic leagues.
After high school, Kevin worked in the publication department at the US Department of Transportation in Washington DC. He then attended Delgago College in New Orleans developing his dental technician skills. This education led to a 35-year career as a dental technical with the Veteran’s Administration in Houston, Texas. For him, it was a rewarding career of service to our nation’s Veterans. As a huge sports fan, Kevin drew great pleasure in cheering on his sons and grandsons in their various sporting activities. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and spending time with his family.
Kevin is survived by his sons Brendan and Scott (Michele) and grandsons Braeden and Greyson. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Daniel and Patrick, Susan, Kathy, Ann, Mary, Margaret, Joan, and Jeanne. Kevin will also be forever remembered by his numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his Father, Daniel W. Collins, his Mother Margaret E. Collins, and three nephews, Daren Bashor, Cody Gullette and Jack Garland.
Kevin gracefully faced life’s challenges head on and rewarded those that knew him with memories that will last forever. He will be missed by all those who loved him. He will be honored at a Memorial service at Crowder Funeral Home in League City on Saturday, November 28th at 1:00pm (CST). A virtual option will be provided for those that cannot attend in person.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Kevin’s name to St. Mary’s
School for the Deaf, “Foundation for Deaf Education”, using this link
https://www.smsdk12.org/page/166
The paypal/credit card has a note/comment section where you can indicate donation is being made
in honor of or in memory of Kevin J. Collins a SMSD Alumni.
Kevin was a wonderful brother and I will miss him! He brought joy and strength to all of his family members. We all know that he is enjoying peace and happiness as he enters into heaven.
I will be missing our video chat talks.But most of all I know you were someone special.
You are now free at home with the Lord.
Look over me always.
Jess
Love you Kevin! RIP Cousin & say hello to my Mom & Dad.
Such a beautiful obituary. Kevin’s memory will forever live on in lives of those he love touched. I will never forget his smile, his joy and his tender heart.
RIP Cousin Kevin. Thanks for always putting a smile on my face every time I got the chance to see you. I loved how you always told us stories about your brothers and sisters and brought some many belly laughs. You were an inspiration to so many of us and you Made a difference in our lives. Peace and love my brother. Cousin Donnie Collins.
Kevin was a great friend I knew from St. Mary’s School for the deaf in years ago. We met again in Houston, texas and we caught up to chat about our student life at the SMSD. I send my condolence to the Collins family. Rest In Peace, Kevin!
Kevin was a wonderful friend of mine and great father of his beautiful sons. I miss him. My prayers and thoughts are with his family. May Rest In Peace, Kevin.
Dear Kevin – Dear Cousin
I will always remember you. You are forever in my heart. You will be missed.
Colleen/Dan Skotarczak
Heartfelt condolences and thanks to Brendan, Scott and Michele for all your support for our beloved Kevin in his time of need. We had our own unique way of communicating and understanding one another. I will forever cherish the memories of our times together.
May you Rest In Peace dear cousin Kevin
Condolences to his family and also to my dear
Cousins from the Collins family.
Joseph and Diane (Wetzel) DiDomenico
Kevin was a dear school friend from SMSD (Buffalo, NY). We became closer friend while he was in Tucson, AZ. We met few times in AZ and then few times in TX. We chatted many times over video phones for years. We prayed together to fight struggling cancer he experienced since my brother and father were gone with cancer. Kevin often smiled and thought positive. His friendship with me has been precious. He is missed.
Don (Burke, VA)
Kevin, your smile, your heartfelt family stories and brotherly love will be missed. I am grateful for your patience with my futile attempts at sign language. You were always gracious…. Our family is eternally grateful to Brendan, Scott and Michele for loving Kevin and making this final days, blessed with their love and support.
RIP brother Kevin. you are cherished and will be greatly missed.
Cousin Kev, I’ll always remember our times together, especially family reunions at Uncle Teddy’s in Hindsdale, NY., family vacations at Buckeye Lake & Muskelonge Lake, basketball games at the Scranton playground and so much more. Our condolences to your family. Love, Cousin John & family
In a family of ten siblings Kevin is the one that I will always remember for having a gentle, passionate soul. He never saw himself as being different because of his hearing impairment, the love and support he received from his entire family was the affirmation that allowed Kevin to believe that anything is possible. Kevin’s legacy will leave memories of love,laughter, determination, perseverance and the courage to have faced many storms with a smile that could light up a room. He will be missed by his family and all of the Collins Cousins that were blessed because we were part of his life. My deepest condolence to Kevin’s two sons, their families and to all of his siblings that are grieving Kevin’s Heavenly Birth.
Love and Peace Cousin Peggy Collins Swanz
Kevin was well liked by his friends and he showed interest in getting to know people’s stories.
My condolence to Kevin’s sons, two grandsons and his family.
Patrick Sullivan, Rochester, NY
Condolences to Brendan and Scott and his brothers and sisters and their families. When I think of Kevin I think of this light that would shine when he entered a room. He had that ability, not through words, but through the love and happiness that always shone through his eyes and smile. That light is gone form our presence but it lives on in our memories of him. RIP gentle soul. You have made our lives much brighter and will be sorely missed.
Aunt Sue, Uncle Don and family.
Rest In Peace dear Kevin . We are sending love and prayers to you and your family today and always . May you find love and comfort in your dear Mothers arms in Heaven 🙏🏼Love, Mike and Barbie Collins
I’ve known Kevin over the years at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. We played together on the varsity basketball team and our greatest memory was capturing the Eastern States Deaf Athletic Association basketball championship in Washington, DC. We talked on videophone at times. He often spoke highly of his Collins family members and how proud he was. My sincere condolences to his family.
Dear Cousin Kevin, you are loved and cherished by us and all who were blessed to know you. Joy and peace is now yours in heaven with your Mom, Dad and all the others who have gone before you. Prayers for you and your loving family. You will be missed. With Love, Aunt Joan, Ellen, Tom, Carol, Jean and Mike.
Condolences to all my cousins. Kevin was such a cheerful and caring person. I wii always remember with fondness our days in Scranton. All 23 cousins, all one big family. God’s Blessing, love to all, your cousin Kathy
My honor to Kevin Collins and Sympathy to his family. I grew in SMSD all my life in the Boys Department. I looked up Kevin Collins was very tend and gentleman. He was the leader of the role in the Boy Deparment and his talk was very fluent. I do remember him. Prayers and comfort of your Collins family and cousins.
Peaceful rest my brother. I love you.
To my beloved brother,Kevin. I will miss signing with you.I have many special memories of are time together growing up. I always new you were the best looking in our family. one special memory was watching you playing basketball thru the years in New York. Your smile,your strength,and your kindness,I will cherish forever. to my nephews,Brendan and Scott your father loved you both deeply,and thank you Both for taking care of your dad and I would also like to thank michele Collins for all the love you gave to Kevin. Rest In Peace Kevin up in heaven with mom,dad,and Daren. Love Susie Collins Bashor