Joseph O'Donnell Collins,

Joseph O’Donnell Collins, Sr., a lifelong Biloxian, died peacefully on October 21, 2012, in the comfort of his home. Joseph was born to Augustine O’Donnell Collins and William J. Collins, Sr. on December 29, 1921, and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1939. He proudly served the United States as a Navy Seabee in the Pacific Theater in World War II. In 1954, he founded J.O. Collins Contractor, Inc., following his grandfather, father, and brothers in the building profession. He was later joined in his construction business by his sons, Charles and Daniel, and he served as the President of the Company until his death. As a builder, he earned a reputation for honesty, integrity, and excellence. He built many churches, schools, government, medical, and commercial buildings on the coast, including Our Lady of Fatima Church where he was a devoted parishioner for many years. He was especially proud of the restoration of Fort Massachusetts after Hurricane Camille, and numerous restorations of local historical landmarks including The Old Spanish Fort in Pascagoula, Fort Barrancas in Pensacola, The Magnolia Hotel, the Biloxi Lighthouse, the Pleasant Reed House, and train depots in Bay St. Louis, Ocean Springs, and Pascagoula. Joseph was a charter member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Associated General Contractors, served a term as its President, and was recently honored with its lifetime achievement award. As a proud Irishman, he was a founding member of Biloxi’s Hibernia Marching Society. While he had many professional accomplishments, the most important part of his life was wife, children, grandchildren, friends, and faith. Joseph was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers, Francis X. Collins, William J. Collins, Jr., daughter-in-law Francesca Mathews Collins, brother-in-law Edmund D. Wilson, and sisters-in-law Dorothy Gates Collins and Jane Collins. He is survived by Dorothy Martinolich Collins, his devoted wife of sixty-six years, his sons, Joseph, Jr. and wife, Colleen, Charles, Sr. and wife, Debbie, Daniel and wife, Terese, and daughter Deborah Collins Jones. Joseph was especially proud of his twelve grandchildren, Emily Collins Orgler (Raymond), Allison Collins Kline (Clayton), Justin Collins (Liza), Charles Collins, Jr. (Sarah), Nicholas Collins, Kenneth Jones, II (Leigh), Gregory Collins, Laura Collins, Benjamin Collins, Kathryn Collins, Austin Collins, and Tiffany Jones and his great grandchildren, Oliver Collins, Clayton Kline II, Charles Collins III, and Sawyer Collins. Joseph is also survived by his brothers, Paul J. Collins and wife, Rose, Leonard A. Collins and wife, Lucille, sister, Mary Collins Wilson, and sister-in-law Rosemary (Mrs. Francis X.) Collins. He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Joseph’s grandsons will proudly serve as his pallbearers. The family would like to express their appreciation to Roberta Parnell, Mary Ellis, Sheila Blakely, Janice Carson, and Dale Toche for their kindness as caretakers, as well as his hospice nurse April. Special thanks to Dr. Regina Mills and her nurse, Judy, for their concern and medical care. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Our Lady of Fatima St. Vincent de Paul Society, 2090 Pass Rd., Biloxi, MS 39531 or the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1228, Biloxi, MS 39533. Visitation will be Friday, October 26th from 9:00AM until 11:00AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Pass Road, Biloxi, and burial will follow at Southern Memorial Park. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.