Francis "Frank" John Collins, 80, of Southbury, formerly of Ridgefield, died March 23 at Danbury Hospital. He was born May 25, 1935, in New Rochelle, N.Y., and was a son of the late Margaret (O'Reilly) and Charles Collins.

His enormously grateful daughters and spouses Kathryn and Stephen Metzker of Newtown, Patricia and John Capilli of Ridgefield, Christine Collins and Greg Davis of Woodbury, Maura and Douglas Fiacco of New Fairfield, and Margaret "Peggy" and Sean Murphy of Watertown, and many dear nieces and nephews,survive Mr Collins. He was immensely proud of his 11 grandchildren and enjoyed entertaining them whenever possible. His storytelling and wit will be missed by Cara and John Capilli, John and Erin Dibble, Daphne Fiacco, Delia, Fiona, and Lily Murphy, and Anna, Emily, and Erich Metzker. His wife, Theresa; brother, Charles Collins; and sister, Mary Searing, predeceased Mr Collins.

He attended Archbishop Stepinac High School and Iona College, graduating in 1959 as a certified internal auditor with a degree in business accounting.

He began his career with Price Waterhouse and later worked for United Nuclear. He was proudest of his 23 years of service at Perkin-Elmer corporation, and involvement with projects for the intelligence community and NASA.

He also served as parish accountant and on the finance committee at St Mary's RC Church for 26 years.

He married Theresa Deeley of New Rochelle on August 29, 1959. They moved to Ridgefield in 1963. There he spent the next few decades driving its roads at all hours for the benefit of his five daughters. He logged thousands of hours behind the wheel, a captive audience to the great matters related to Girl Scouts, sleepovers, sports, dances, movies, school, and, occasionally, boys. He convincingly pretended not to hear anything but the news radio playing up front.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Mary RC Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, on Friday, April 1, at 10:15 am. Interment will follow in St Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield. The family will receive friends at the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, Thursday, March 31, from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Western Connecticut Health Network (Danbury Hospital Development Fund), 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury CT 06810.