Obituaries » John Yatch Collins, Jr.

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John Yatch Collins, Jr.

February 13, 1956 - October 26, 2023

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John “Yatch” Collins Jr., Old Forge, passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, on October 26, 2023, after a short, but courageous, battle with cancer.
Born February 13, 1956 to the late John, Sr., and Mary Collins, John was a proud member of the West Scranton Class of 1974. John furthered his education at East Stroudsburg University, where he studied Secondary Education and History.
John married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Susan (Burnside) Collins, on June 2, 1979. John often referred to Sue as his “rock” and she cared for him with endless love and devotion throughout his illness. Together, they raised two daughters, Dr. Lyndsey Collins-Praino and husband Rodrigo, Adelaide, Australia and Shannon Kane and husband Brian, Scranton.
John started his career in insurance sales at Prudential in 1978. He later opened his own business with Allstate Insurance, which he operated until his retirement in 2014. He was endlessly proud of the business and career he built throughout his many years working in the Old Forge community.
John will forever be remembered for his strong, but loving, personality, his sense of humor, his endless generosity, and his undying love for his Penn State Nittany Lions and the Philadelphia Phillies.
In addition to his wife and daughters, John is survived by his grandchildren, Alexander and Isabella Praino, Adelaide, Australia, and Patrick and Evelyn Kane, Scranton; his sister, Marirose Bobrowski and husband Larry, Sewell, NJ, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his siblings Kathy Collins-Shermanski and James Collins, and his four-legged “Son,” Teddy.
The family would like to thank the angels of Compassionate Care Hospice who allowed them to keep John home and comfortable in his final days, especially Jen, Raheem, Lori and Dennis. Your kindness will never be forgotten. They would also like to thank the staff of Visiting Angels, especially Priscilla and Chris, for their help over the last several weeks.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital c/o 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.
John was very proud of knowing that he did life “his way.” He would want everyone to honor him by doing it their way.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Monday at 9:00 AM from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge, with a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church c/o 1403 Jackson Street in Scranton, to be celebrated by Rev. Richard Fox, Pastor. Entombment will follow in the Collins’ family mausoleum at Cathedral Cemetery.
Family and friends may pay their respects at the funeral home on Sunday between 3-6:00 PM.

“We’ll love you forever.”