COLLINS, Paul Brendan

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Paul Brendan Collins, 73, passed away Friday, January 23, 2009, in Phoenix. He was born Sept. 27, 1935, in Lynn, Mass., to Hugh Arthur and Mary (Hagan) Collins. Spending most of his life in Lynn, Mass., as a young man Paul was a carpenter. Paul then served in the United States Air Force as a private first class where he was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal. After his military service, Paul became a truck driver for the Boston Globe and was a member of the teamsters union for many years. Later, Paul and Sallie became co-proprietors of the Helping Hands Bookstore, a bookstore dedicated to helping those in need in their community. A Lake Havasu City resident since 2000, Paul loved his new community and spent his days enjoying fishing, riding his motorcycle and was an avid trader of all things including real estate on EBay. In Sallie’s honor, Paul was a strong supporter of the fight against ALS (otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Paul was a founding member of the Lake Havasu City Alano Club and volunteered countless hours of his personal time to club business. Paul will best be remembered for his dedication to his sobriety and to the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Paul is survived by his daughter, Cathy Grzela, of Lynn, Mass.; Derek Collins, of Fitchburg, Mass.; daughter-in-law, Nicolette Collins, of Norman, Okla.; grandsons, Paul Collins, of Norman, Okla., Danny Collins, of Lynn, Mass., Nicky Grzela, of Lynn, Mass.; sisters, Mary Lou Nolet, of Lynn, Mass., Madge Hayes, of Lynn, Mass.; brother, Arthur Collins, of Fort Myers, Fla.; brother-in-law, Henry Nolet, of Lynn, Mass.; sister-in-law, Clara Collins, of Fort Myers, Fla.; multiple nieces and nephews; and his two precious dogs, Hope and Shep. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Arthur and Mary (Hagan) Collins; his soul mate, Sallie Hartmann, of Lynn, Mass.; his son, Mark Collins, of Norman, Okla.; his brother, Richard Collins, of Lynn, Mass.; and his brother-in-law, Tom Hayes, of Lynn, Mass. A memorial service will be held Saturday at the Lake Havasu City Alano Club, 2041 Swanson Ave., at 1 pm., 928-453-5053. Words of inspiration will be offered by Paul’s many friends. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Lake Havasu City Alano Club, 2041 Swanson Ave., Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86403.