AUGUSTA - Thomas M. Collins, 70, of Augusta passed away at Maine Medical Center onTuesday, September 3 with his family by his side. Tom was born on December 9, 1942 in Augusta, Maine; the eldest son of Joseph and Gertrude Collins. Tom graduated from Hallowell High School and the University of Maine at Farmington. He taught English at Erskine Academy where he inspired and touched many lives. Following his retirement he worked at Hannaford as a cashier. He was a resident at the Margaret Chase Smith House in Augusta where he enjoyed transporting fellow residents to their appointments and on errands. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Parish in Augusta. Tom was a caring and helpful person. He was a special brother, uncle, great uncle, godfather, cousin and friend. He looked forward to all family gatherings. He cherished the time he spent with family, especially his great nieces and nephews. Tom loved planning class reunions and kept in touch with many high school classmates. He was an avid sports fan. He hardly ever missed a game. Especially those BC Eagles! Thomas was predeceased by his parents, Joseph D. and Gertrude (Lewia) Collins and his sister, Kathleen Collins. Tommy will be greatly missed by his sister and brother-in-law Peggy and Carroll Whitman of Manchester and his brother and sister-in-law Joseph (Jody) and Keltie Collins of Farmingdale as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The most special to him were his nieces and nephews: Michael and Kathy Whitman and their children Michael and Madeline, of Marlborough, MA, Andy and Jessy Whitman of Litchfield, Amy Whitman of Augusta, Beth and Adam Anthony of Amesbury, MA, Heather Barlow and her children Emma and Evan, of Winslow, Holly and Derek Gannett and their children Isabelle and Thomas of Manchester. Tom’s family would like to thank the Maine Medical Center CICU staff for the wonderful care Tom received and the support that was given to his family. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, September 8 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church Street, Augusta. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Monday, September 9 at 10:00am. Burial will immediately follow at the Hallowell Cemetery. Reception will follow the burial at the home of Peggy and Carroll Whitman, 175 Prescott Road, Manchester. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Margaret Chase Smith House, Volunteers of America, 7 Ridge Road, Augusta, Maine 04330. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com