Donald Collins (Maine politician)
Donald Frederick Collins (November 30, 1925 – March 10, 2018)[1] was an American politician from Maine. Collins, a Republican from Caribou, Aroostook County, served 5 terms in the Maine Legislature between 1970 and 1992. He also served as mayor of Caribou.[2]
Donald Collins | |
---|---|
Member of the Maine Senate from the 2nd district | |
In office December 1986 – December 1992 | |
Succeeded by | Leo Kieffer |
Member of the Maine Senate from the 31st district | |
In office December 1976 – December 1978 | |
Preceded by | Hayes Gahagan |
Member of the Maine House of Representatives from Aroostook | |
In office December 1970 – December 1972 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Donald Frederick Collins November 30, 1925 Caribou, Maine, U.S. |
Died | March 10, 2018 92) Caribou, Maine, U.S. | (aged
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | |
Children | 6, including Susan |
Alma mater | University of Maine (BA) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1943–1946 |
Rank | Sergeant |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart (2) |
In 1970, Collins was elected to the Maine House of Representatives, and served a single term. In 1976, Collins was elected to his first, two-year term in the Maine Senate. Running again in 1986, Collins was re-elected, serving three more terms in the Maine Senate, retiring in 1992 from elected office.[3]
Background and Family
Donald Collins was the father of United States Senator Susan Collins.[2] His brother, Samuel W. Collins Jr., sat on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court from 1988 to 1994 and served in the Maine Senate from 1972 to 1984. He was one of four children in his family and had six children. Collins was born in Caribou, Maine. He served in the United States Army during World War II, receiving a Bronze Star for heroism, and a Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster, after being wounded twice in the Battle of the Bulge. Collins went to the University of Maine. He worked in the family lumber business, established by his great-great grandfather, Samuel Collins, in 1844.[4]
References
- "Donald Collins - Mockler Funeral Home". mocklerfuneralhome.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- Ting, Dennis (March 3, 2014). "Politics: The family business". CNN. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- "Legislators Biographical Search". Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- Burns, Christopher (March 11, 2018). "Donald Collins, father of Sen. Susan Collins, dies at 92". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 11 March 2018.