Coach Brian Collins

Springfield PICS are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of long time Coach Brian Collins. He will always be remembered & never forgotten. Collins a legend on the bench for the PICS will be missed by his family, friends & the hockey players he helped along their path. 

Coach Brian Collins 1957-2023. Brian Collins, age 65, passed away on July 30, 2023 at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Springfield on Dec 14, 1957 to the late Thomas Patrick and Mabel (Nelson) Collins.

Brian grew up on Hungry Hill with his 3 brothers, Tom, John, Kevin and his one sister, Candy. Being the youngest in this Irish Catholic Family on Hungry Hill, Brian learned his most valuable lesson that you do anything for family and family is everything.

Brian met the love of his life in 1984, and married Kathleen (Leonard) on October 18th 1986. Together they were blessed with two beautiful children, Brian James and Kayla Marie. Brian understood from the beginning of his family life that he needed to carve his own way in the world and he started his own electric business, Springfield Electric with his brother Tom. His integrity and hard work has been known by many tradesmen throughout New England for the past 30 years.

Besides his family and his business, Brian was passionate about his favorite past time, hockey! He played the sport throughout his youth, including the Springfield Pics' under Coach Gary Dineen. Brian was known as "Coach" since 1989, coaching both Brian and Kayla in the sport he loved. Brian was president of the Holy Name Hockey Association for many years moving onto to coach the Springfield Pic's, with his nephew Rob Bonneau.

Brian had the biggest heart and often made sure that any child that wanted to play hockey, could play – not letting money stand in the way of equipping young people with everything they would need to play the sport he so loved.
Brian's other passion in his life was his car collection – a hobby that became a love with his most recent purchase, a 1969 Camaro, that he just acquired last week.

However, the life he loved so much still wasn't complete until he became a "Papa" to his two granddaughters, McKenna and Hailey. The light and love that showed through Brian becoming a grandfather was clearly evident to anyone who saw him with his two princesses.

Brian was larger than life and his passing will leave a void in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. The world is a much better place for Brian Collins being part of it.

Besides his loving wife Kathy and his daughter, Kayla, Brian leaves his son Brian James and his wife Kristyn of Longmeadow, his brother Kevin and his wife Mary of Springfield, his brother John and his wife Maryann of Florida and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas and his sister, Candice Collins.

Visiting Hours will be held on Fri, Aug 4, 2023 from 10 am until 2 pm at Sampson Chapel of the Acres, 21 Tinkham Rd. Springfield with a prayer service to begin at 2 pm. Burial is Private.

​In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Brian Collins Memorial Youth Hockey Fund C/O New Valley Bank, 1930 Wilbrham Road, Springfield, MA 01129.

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