Attorney William Brennan Collins, 86, formerly of Glastonbury, CT died on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at the Veterans Home in Rocky Hill.  He was born on October 14, 1928 in New Haven.  He worked his way through UConn playing saxophone in a dance band.  He met the love of his life, Claire Foisy, while hitchhiking on Route 44 in Manchester to the Storrs campus.  They were married at the St. James Church in Manchester in 1952 and were together for 67 years.  After graduating from UConn, Bill volunteered for the Air Force.   He completed 74 combat missions during the Korean War as the pilot of an F-84 Thunderjet.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism in combat.  He became an opponent of all war.  After the war, he worked for Travelers while going to UConn law school at night.  He graduated third in his class in 1960.  Bill loved being a lawyer and working for himself.  Bill’s most famous case was when he defended the infamous Murray Gold in a tabloid murder trial.  He was very proud when two of his sons, Matthew and Anthony, joined him to form Collins, Collins, and Collins Law Firm.  He served on the Manchester Board of Directors from 1962-1965.  He ran for State Representative from Glastonbury in 1966 on a social justice platform, but lost. 

            Bill was a lover of the arts and especially of classical music.  He liked going to museums, taking long walks with his dog and reading history.  He enjoyed life.  He was a liberal and a democrat who advocated for the rights of all people.  Bill was a kind and gentle man with a self-deprecating sense of humor.   He was loved and will be greatly missed.

            Bill is survived by his wife, Claire; five children, Michael (Mayra), Matthew, John (Nancy), Anthony (Kindra) and Elizabeth (Laurel); and eight grandchildren, Gaby, Catherine, Madeline, Will, Jackson, Caroline, Julia and Christopher.  The family would like to thank the staff at the Veterans Home for their special care of Bill.  A memorial service will be held for him the Veterans Home in Rocky Hill on August 1, 2015 at 1:30PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Special Care Unit of the Veterans Home.

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