Joseph F. Collins III

Joseph F. Collins III went to eternal rest on Oct 16, after a decades long challenge with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born in Stuyvesant Town, on Manhattan’s East Side, in January 1951, to Audrey and Joseph Collins. He was the third of six children. Even as the family grew they never ventured far from The City, as he spent his childhood living throughout the greater tri-state area.

He attended Fairfield University—where he graduated with a BS in Finance in 1972 and remained active on the alumni board. He met his beloved wife, Jane-Ellen, while they were both students at Fairfield University and they married in 1975. It did not take long for them to choose to return to Fairfield and grow their family in the town they so cherished. He and Jane-Ellen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July 2025.

The two things most important to Joe were his family and his faith. He loved Jane-Ellen deeply and they spent their early years raising their three children—Dillon, Courtney and Kiernan—supporting them in their activities, sports, schooling and church. After he retired, he and Jane-Ellen were able to travel for a few years enjoying trips together to Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. One of their favorite spots in New England was the Red Lion Inn, in Stockbridge, MA. They would frequent the area a few times a year and always make it a point to visit the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy– where they would attend Mass or stop in for a prayer.

He and Jane-Ellen enjoyed their time at their seasonal home in St. Petersburg, FL, where they were able to enjoy being with many of Joe’s siblings, nieces and nephews. They loved to play golf together and Joe enjoyed fishing, and relaxing by the pool when he had the chance.

One of his most loved places to spend his days was the Fairfield Beach Club. His favorite time of day was late afternoon, at low tide, where he would bring his chair to the water and enjoy a peaceful afternoon on Long Island Sound, listening to a Yankees game or reading the New York Times.

Joe loved being with his grandkids—and making them big pancake breakfasts and watching them enjoy the pool and playing in the sand at the beach. He loved to build his train villages for them at Christmas time.

For over 40 years, Joe commuted from Fairfield into NYC where he worked in finance. He commuted with each of his three children at some point throughout their early careers—proud to teach them “commuting tips” and the ways of Metro North. He retired in 2016 from his role as Senior VP and Chief Fiduciary Officer at Neuberger Berman Trust Company, NA. Joe was a trusted figure in the banking sector, serving on several key committees, including as Chairman of the Trust and Estate Administration Committee for the New York State Bankers Association Trust and Investment Division.

As a man of deep faith, Joe devoted over 35 years to the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. He dedicated hours to the organization—often attending board meetings in Brooklyn, after working a long day in Manhattan. In 2017, Joe received The Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Service Award- for his dedication and service to Catholic Charities. In 2024, Joe was further recognized for his support of the organization through the naming of The Joseph F. Collins Behavioral Health Center for Children and Families, in Woodhaven Queens. This center is a comprehensive, certified community behavioral health clinic offering high-quality mental health services to residents of Queens and Brooklyn. Joe was extremely proud of this building and honored to be associated with it. He knows that it will serve the community for years to come.

He and Jane-Ellen were active in their home parish of St Pius X for over 40 years—where they served as Eucharistic Ministers.

Joe is survived by his wife, Jane-Ellen, his three children- J Dillon (Blair) Collins, Courtney (Dan) Gomez and Kiernan (Caitlin) Collins, as well as his five grandchildren. In addition, Joe is survived by his five siblings, a large family of cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

If you would like to make a gift in Joe’s honor– please direct the contribution to The Joseph F. Collins Behavioral Health Center for Children and Families through this link: www.ccbq.org/give. Please select “Donate Online,” then click “Dedicate My Donation,” and follow the prompts.

Donations can also be made in honor of the Center, made payable to Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, and mailed to the following address: Lucy Garrido-Mota: Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens: 191 Joralemon Street, 12th floor: Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Friends may greet the family Sunday, November 2 from 2-6pm at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, November 3 at 10am at St. Aloysius Parish, 21 Cherry St, New Canaan, CT. Interment to follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, 1530 Bronson Rd, Fairfield, CT.