RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Chester Skip Collins, Jr., age 73, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at his home. He was born on July 27, 1945, in Cooperstown, son of Phyllis (Walrath) Collins of Springfield, and the late Chester M. Collins, Sr. A lifelong area resident he was a graduate of Owen D. Young High School with the class of 1963. On March 18, 1965, he married the former Mary Alice Mikki Sheridan. For 30 years they shared a loving union until her passing on November 11, 1995. For many years he worked as a mechanic for Richfield Springs Central School and then Mount Markham retiring in 1996. He then went to work for JGB Properties until 2018. He was a US Army veteran and then served with the Army National Guard for twenty-two years obtaining the rank of SSG E6. Skip enjoyed camping at Whispering Woods Camp Ground in Cleveland NY as well as cabinet making. He will be remembered as a loyal friend who was always willing to help others. On October 9, 2009, he married Karen Alexander in Richfield Springs. Surviving are his devoted wife, Karen of over nine years, his mother, Phyllis Collins of Springfield, his daughter, Maria Meyers and her husband John of Evansville, WI, his son, Paul Collins and his wife Tracie of Peyton CO, grandchildren, Ashley and Coty Meyers, Branden and Dylan Collins, two brothers, Richard Collins and his wife Johanna, of Springfield, William Collins and his wife Linda, of Richfield Springs, three sisters, Barbara Wilkerson and her husband Patrick of VA, Patricia Pullis and her husband Allan of Springfield, and Karen Weidenbaugh and her husband Nelson of Alaska, Also surviving are his step-daughter Kari-Ann Smith of NC , his in-laws, Jerry and Cheri Sheridan, of Bergen, Ed and Carol Sheridan of Bolton Landing, Peter Sheridan of TX, Jeannie McKeever of GA and Theodore Krohn of West Winfield, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his first wife Mary Alice on November 11, 1995 and his father Chester M. Collins, Sr. on December 30, 2007. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 12, at 12 noon in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs with a ceremony by the Richfield Springs American Legion, followed by Gerry Sheridan who will offer words of comfort. Interment with Military Honors will take place later this spring in St. Josephs Cemetery Richfield Springs. The family will be present in the funeral home on Saturday from 11:00 am until the time of the service. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donation to the Richfield Springs Emergency Squad, PO Box 1456, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Calling Hours J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Saturday, January 12, 2019 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 40 West James Street Richfield Springs, NY 13439 Funeral Service J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Saturday, January 12, 2019 12:00 PM 40 West James Street Richfield Springs, NY 13439