Retired Battalion Chief Harold Collins

Harold Collins, JFRD’s oldest retired firefighter, passed away Thursday, February 17, 2011.

The viewing wasl be held on Monday, February 21, 2011 from 1700-2000 at Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home located at 340 E. Walker Drive in Keystone Heights, Florida.

A time of visitation was be from 9:00 am until 10:00am and the funeral was be at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at Trinity Baptist Church of Keystone Heights on State Rd 21 (three miles south of Keystone Heights).

A fire truck provided by the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters, IAFF local 122, acted as the caisson for the procession from Keystone Heights to his final resting place at Greenlawn Cemetery on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville.

 Chief Collins was born on November 8, 1917 in Sanford, Florida. He began his career on May 1, 1950 and retired May 1, 1980. Chief Collins began at Station 11 and then was transferred to Station 9. Chief Collins was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau on special assignment while assigned to Station 9. During this time he also taught first aid at the training school. Chief Collins was then transferred to Station 16 (Airport) where he made Lieutenant and was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau once again. While in the bureau he made Captain and was assigned to Station 6. Upon promoting to the rate of District Chief (Fire 8) at station 24 and retired later as Battalion Chief.

Chief Collins lived in Keystone Heights, Florida. His daughter Pat Taylor, (married to Walter Taylor’s son) took care of him and his daily needs.
 

On Chief Collins’ birthday, Grady Sims, Eddie Foye, Danny Butcher and Wayne Doolittle presented him with a T-shirt and jacket recognizing him as the oldest living retiree.