With great sadness and amazement, the Collins Family announce the passing of Jefferson Earl Collins at age 67. He was a devoted father - and drinker, as it turns out. He is survived by his wife, Helen, 61, and three children, 34, 38, and 40. The family express their deep gratitude to all who have stood with them in this time of reflection and surprise: especially Mr. Collins's doctors who somehow managed to keep his liver from giving out after he slowly but persistently destroyed it over the last 45 years. Mrs. Collins stands steadfast in her faith as she mourns the loss, knowing that only a miracle kept her husband from keeling over from hypertension, and other complications of his sedentary lifestyle as a computer programmer that would easily have killed any other person by age 50.
The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 in St. Peter's.