James H. Collins

BYFIELD-James H. Collins, 74, passed away on August 8, 2023 following a brief illness. He was the husband of Kathleen (Toomey) Collins with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Born on August 18, 1948 in Peterborough, New Hampshire to the late Dr. William J. and Lois (Prince) Collins, Jim grew up in Danvers, Massachusetts and attended St. Thomas Catholic School and St. John’s Preparatory School. In 1970, he graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and soon after joined the Massachusetts National Guard. He was a certified public accountant who spent his career in public service, first working for the Massachusetts Rate Setting Commission, and then in federal service with the Army, Air Force and Department of Defense, first in Washington D.C., then later here in Massachusetts. He also started his own tax preparation business. Jim was a man of many interests who enjoyed sharing them with his family and friends, some of whom he has known for almost 70 years from his childhood summers at Wingaersheek beach. He enjoyed boating, skiing, stargazing, investing, traveling by road, sea, and air with his Kate, monthly poker games with his longtime friends, whist and cribbage games, listening to country music, hosting Grampy Camp for the grandkids, driving with the top down on a sunny day, and sharing laughs and stories with his family and wide circle of friends. He never met a person he couldn’t strike up a conversation with and surprise with a dry, one-liner. Jim was the ultimate family man who loved his family above all else. His immense love for Kathy was plain for all to see. He was so proud of his children and adored his grandkids. In addition to his wife, Kathleen, he is survived by his son Michael of Beverly, his daughter Denise and her husband Jonathan Van Campen of Berwick, ME, his daughter Melanie and her husband Daniel O’Leary of Groton, his grandchildren Molly, Oliver, Bea, Alison, Catherine, and Paul, his siblings Dorothy Laforme (Phillip) of FL, Dennis Collins (Brenda) of Lynn, and Barry Collins (Susan) of NH, sister-in-law Patricia Hobbs of IN, mother-in-law, Evangeline Toomey of Danvers, brothers-in-law, Francis Toomey (Lisa) of Wenham and John Toomey (Cathy) of Sandown, NH, sisters-in-law, Margaret Driscoll (Richard) of Danvers, Cathy Hussey of Alfred, ME and many nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends. He is pre-deceased by his parents, his siblings Brenda and William Collins, Jr. and Barbara (Ray) Anderson, his father-in-law, James Toomey and brother-in-law: David Toomey. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Home, 28 Elm St. Danvers. Burial is private.