CARIBOU – Dale Arden Collins, 73, died Feb. 7, 2011, surrounded by his family at a local health care center. He was born June 24, 1937, in Mars Hill, son of the late Elmer and Grace (Hallet) Smith.
He served with the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958 in the Combat Engineer and Missile Battalion, and then served with the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962 as a signalman on the USS Claude Jones. After his discharge from the Navy, Dale became a patrol officer for Caribou Police Department, working there for seven years. In 1969 he began a 23-year career with Presque Isle Police Department. He served as a patrol officer until 1976 when he was promoted to detective. In 1982 he was again promoted to sergeant and again in 1990 to deputy chief of police – a position he held until his retirement in 1992. In March 1993, be began working for Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department with his wife transporting prisoners until 2002. Dale enjoyed spending time at his camp on St. Froid Lake with his wife and family. He enjoyed many motorcycle rides with his wife on their Honda Goldwing and contributed his help to his wife’s charitable work. Dale was a member of Blue Knights Law Enforcement motorcycle club, a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of Henry B. Pratt Post No. 15 American Legion, Presque Isle Elks and International Law Association.
Mr. Collins was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth, in 2010. He is survived by his son, Anthony and his wife, Lisa, and their children, Brandon, Bradley and Emily of Woodland; two daughters, Sharon Ellis and her children, Brandon and Caitlin of Caribou and Annette Newberry and her husband, William, and their children, Elizabeth and Jackson of Standish; three sisters, Carolyn Malone and Glenda Bell of Mars Hill and Gloria Connolly of Perham; one aunt, Nita Flannery of Mars Hill; many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and England.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Dale’s life 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at Knights of Columbus Hall, Washburn Road, Caribou. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Collins may do so through National Alzheimer’s Association, 383 U.S. Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074. Arrangements by Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.
www.mocklerfuneralhome.com