John F. Collins, 81, of New Hartford passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at the St. Luke's Rehabilitation Facility with his loving family by his side. John was born in Rome, NY on November 5, 1931 son of Francis and Mildred (Powell) Collins. He was a 1949 graduate of Rome Free Academy and later graduated from the Simmons School of Mortuary Science. John served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. At Sacred Heart Church, Utica, on July 12, 1958, John was united in marriage to Doris Kieffer. John started his employment career with the Heintz Funeral Home. He went on to work at the Jim Brock Insurance Agency and Blue Cross and Blue Shield. John later opened his own business, John F. Collins Real Estate and Home Improvements. John's strong work ethic kept him busy filling his time as a school bus driver for the Oriskany Central School System, an appraiser for Rome Savings Bank and serving as the New Hartford Town Assessor. A job that John thoroughly enjoyed was serving as County Legislator for District 18 for twelve years. John was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, New Hartford, the Optimist Club of New York Mills, the American Legion Post #1376, New Hartford, and served on the Board of Youth Services for Catholic Charities. He was former member of Leatherstocking. John was very proud of his Irish heritage. He was a strong proud man with a great sense of humor. Family get togethers were cherished and John especially enjoyed the many great times shared with his family on his boat "The Irish Mist". He loved his winter trips to Florida and derived pleasure in going to garage sales and collecting antiques. John is survived by his wife, Doris, three daughters, Sheila and Anthony Farda, Barneveld, Jill and Gordon Bush, Schuyler, and Christine and Michael Revere, New Hartford, a son, John and Lisa Collins Jr. , New Hartford, eight grandchildren, Anthony and Christina Farda, Ryan and Nicole Bush, Brian and Stephen Revere and Tiffani and Taylor Collins, a great granddaughter, Arianna Rose Farda, and many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by a brother, Tom Collins and a sister, Gini Pauls. Mr. Collins' funeral will be held on Monday, February 11, at 9:15 from the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St. Utica, and at 10:00 from Our Lady of the Rosary Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro. Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday from 4 - 7. The family would like to thank Dr. Amy Gorczynski for the kind and compassionate care given to John. She was always there when we needed her. Also thanks to the staff at Clark North Rehab especially Shelly and Carl in PT, Dave, Angie and Enisa.