Norman Stewart Collins

Norman Stewart Collins, 93, departed this life on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nevada while visiting family. Norm, as everyone knew him, was a long time resident of Duanesburg, NY. He was born on October 16, 1923 to Clifford and Theresa Collins of Oneonta, NY. After graduating from Albany Business College in 1942, Norm got a job as clerk for the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. Forty years later, he was to retire as chief clerk in his D&H Railroad office. Soon after starting at D&H Norm became acquainted with a senior clerk by the name of Nathan Fidler, who soon took him home to meet the family. Five years later on August 16, 1947 Norm married Frances Mary Fidler, daughter of Nathan and Helen Fidler, long time residents of Duanesburg, NY. Living first in Schenectady, then Duane Lake, then in the Village of Delanson, Norm and Fran had two daughters and a son, Sharon Louise, Patricia Ann and Mark Lindsey. Norm served for over 60 years as an elder in the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church. For most of that time he was clerk of session. During the years Duanesburg Christian School operated he served on the school board. He was an officer in the Duanesburg Historical society for 19 years, volunteered at the Schenectady City Mission for many years, and enjoyed serving with Teen Missions International for several years, working with his wife Fran in European countries such as Switzerland, France, Romania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. He enjoyed taking his family camping, loved surf fishing, railroad museums and traveling, especially by rail and sea. He was an avid photographer who built his own darkroom and developed his own photographs. He even did photography for weddings and other special events. Norm loved music, and he loved to sing. Fran cherishes the recent memory of listening to him singing in church beside her on their last Sunday together before glory.
He is survived by his wife, Frances F. Collins, nee Fidler, his brother, Milton (Sally) Collins of Henderson, NV, his three children, Sharon (Douglas) Withington of Raleigh, NC, Patricia (John) VanVoorhis of Bennington, VT, and Mark (Ginny) Collins of Quaker Street, NY; grandchildren Zachary VanVoorhis, Katie Kiyanitsa, Daniel VanVoorhis, Grant Withington, Melissa Whitford, Courtney Withington, Ben Withington and Paul Collins; great grandchildren, Bryce VanVoorhis, Evelyn Kiyanitsa and James Kiyanitsa.
Norm was always grateful for his beloved Franny who stood by him for almost 70 years, and for the loving family and many lifelong friends God gave to him. And he thanked God with his whole heart for sending His Son who bore our sins in his body on the tree, and who rose again that we might have eternal life. Norm now sees with his eyes the truth spoken by Jesus in whom he trusted by faith: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”
Funeral services will take place at the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church 6512 Western Turnpike Duanesburg on Saturday April 22 2017 at 11 am. Interment will be in the church's cemetery located on Duanesburg Churches Road  A calling period from 10 am to 11 am will take place prior to the funeral service.

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