08/04/2025
In Loving Memory
Raymond E. Collins
February 14, 1940 - July 31, 2025
KINGSLAND, GA / VIENNA, NY - Raymond E. Collins was born in Oneida, NY to Clifton and Julia Mae (Eckel) Collins on February 14, 1940 and passed away July 31, 2025 in Kingsland, GA. He lived the majority of his life in Vienna, NY where he owned and operated Grenholm (means: “Green Fields by the Water”) Farm #2, a 1000 acre/200 cow Dairy Farm. He enjoyed driving tractors, combines, choppers with hay-wagons, and watching his crops grow. He worked extremely long hours seven days a week and rarely took any breaks. Raymond designed and built his house along with many barns and garages on his land. He was a skilled craftsman and “Jack of all Trades”. He was an active member of many farm organizations including Dairylea, Vigortone, Holstien Association, Agway, Harvester, and many more.
He moved to Palm Bay, FL in 1995 and worked at Scotty’s Hardware Store until they went out of business, then for Don Bo, Inc as a truck driver. He really loved to design and build useful items from wood. Some of the things he created were furniture, cutting boards, jewelry boxes, trivets, dollhouses, rocking horses, rocking cows, fire truck beds, big rig toy boxes, airplane swings, toy barns, intricate farming tractors, mowers, wagons, choppers and combines similar to the real equipment used on his farm. He loved to go fishing, talk about the early days of farming, and watch the next generation of his family grow. He made many memorable moments with his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He will be greatly missed but his legacy will continue for many generations to come.
Recently, when life brought health issues, he had to learn to sit still, which was extremely hard for him. His new life brought with it countertop gardening, watching the birds and squirrels at the feeders. He also enjoyed watching woodworking videos and dreamed of continuing to make more useful things.
Raymond was a Lifetime Member of the Volunteer Fire Department in Vienna, NY. The Fire Department in Kingsland, GA honored his many years of service as a Firefighter at his 80th birthday celebration. That was one of the many highlights in his life.
Raymond is pre-deceased by his parents and brothers Roger, Floyd, Calvin, and his infant brother, Dale. Raymond is survived by his wife, Donna, sisters Joyce (Philip) Purdy (Baldwinsville, NY), and Lois Drought (Camden, NY), son, Danny (Pam) Collins (Pulaski, NY), daughters Sandy (Mike) King (Kingsland, GA) and Judy (Ed) Klein (Kingsland, GA). He had seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren: Michelle (Bryan) Sveum [Tavi & Evan] (Centreville, VA), Ben (Missy) Tousant [Colton & Michael] (Pulaski, NY), Matt (Amanda) Tousant [Lacey & Raymond] (Folkston, GA), Jeffrey (Becca) King (Arlington, VA), Brianna (Joe) Raymo [Madilyn] (Pulaski, NY), Mikayla (CJ) Pericho [Otis] (Pulaski, NY), and Joey Klein (Kingsland, GA). Many nieces and nephews.
Raymond’s final resting place will be in the Fish Creek Landing Cemetery. No formal services at this time. Arrangements are in care of LaRobardiere Funeral Home, Camden, NY.
Please share memories and condolences at https://www.larobardierefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Raymond-E-Collins?obId=43831745