Sergeant John J. Collins

Sgt John J Collins was my beloved cousin. In my family he was the oldest. Every one of us looked up to him. He was kind and loving to his parents. Loved his family, especially his wife and children. When I was a youngster we idolized him. All of our parents, his Aunts and Uncles, were so proud of him.
On a side note, Jack was gorgeous with the Irish skin, black hair and a beautiful grin.
Before he joined the Coast Guard he was a body builder. He met his future wife while in the service. Joyce was as beautiful as he was handsome. They were a golden couple.
On the morning of Jacks death, I was up at 5:30 listening to WGN radio and heard Wally Phillips announce the the accident of a task force Sgt and since Jack was one of four it frightened me. My brother Jim was working out of 10 and I called him immediately, but no answer. This was long before cell phones.
He dis call me later and said that the CPD Chaplain asked Jim to accompany him for the inevitable visit to Jacks loving parents.
By this time I understood that Jack was gone.
It was devastating to our whole family.
The City of Chicago and the St. Jude League, Police friends, were all represented. As were family friends. It was a hell of an Irish send off!
I am writing all of this because I've read that Jacks grandson has written here and I thought I would give him a bit of perspective on his grandfather. Please know that your fad was every to our family!
As an addendum, as in most Irish Catholic families, Jacks Dad, my uncle Johnny, owned a great family neighborhood bar. Feel free to find me on Facebook. Judy Liston Gross

Judy Liston Gross
Loving Cousin

January 7, 2023