Paul J. Collins, Jr.

Paul J. Collins, Jr., 83, of Hazleton, passed away Saturday afternoon, February 15, 2025, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - 17th & Chew in Allentown.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, September 30, 1941, he was the son of the late Paul J. and Clara (Slavinski) Collins, Sr. and was raised in Kearny, NJ.  As a young man he moved to Rockaway, NJ where he raised his family and retired to Hazleton for the past 18 years.

Paul attended the Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia on a basketball scholarship.  He also attended the Manhattan School of Printing, as his father did before him.

Paul was a Lithographer for several different printing companies in New Jersey and New York City and was part of the Printers Union.  He was a member of the Catholic Faith. He was also a member of Park Crest Fish and Game Club, Ringtown.  He was an avid hunter, fisherman and fly fisherman.  He enjoyed spending his spare time golfing, playing bocce, loved to socialize with people, and was the Alabama Crimson Tide's number one fan.

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his brother, Richard Michael Collins.

Surviving are his devoted wife, the former Carol Fitzgerald to whom he was married on September 15, 1962; two children, Colleen Collins Guardia and her husband Martin, New Market, MD; and Richard Paul Collins, Hagerstown, MD; two grandchildren, Amanda Guardia and her partner David Guercio, Baltimore, MD; and Elena Guardia and her fiancée Jackson Heagy, Dallas, TX; two great-grandchildren, Adam and Luke, a sister, Kathleen Trescott, Firestone, CO; a brother-in-law, Joseph Fitzgerald, Jackson, NJ; several nieces and nephews; grandpup, Dr. Bombay; and great-grandpup, Tiller.

As per Paul's wishes, his funeral will be held privately at the convenience of his family.  Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. (West), 1265 Rock Glen Road, Rock Glen is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 401 East Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705 or online at www.wbholytrinity.org. Online condolences can be entered, and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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