Bobby Collins Obituary

Bobby Lee Collins, age 82 of Lapeer, passed away on July 26, 2025, in the comforts of his home. He was born on June 13, 1943, in Sturgis, Kentucky.

The day he passed, the world became so much dimmer with the loss of this man. He was our rock, our hero, who we looked up to and who taught us so much in life.

This man taught us how to love, what true love looked like between spouses and no one can love as hard as this man especially towards my mom. He has been her main caregiver for the past few years as she has Alzheimer's and is also on hospice. He doted on her in every way. He always made sure she had the best care possible and he was determined that she would always remain at home.

He had an amazing career. He was a veteran with the Air Force as a military police then went on to be a police Officer for Sterling Heights Police Department till he retired from there in 1990. His favorite part of being an Officer was when he was with the K-9 unit with our dog Ansar who was a bad ass shepherd. Once retired he went to work for the schools and started out as a special needs teacher in Kentucky where they retired to till he and my mom moved back so they could be around the grandkids. He got a job in Lapeer schools as a Dean of Students till he retired from there also and if that wasn't enough, he did cash room security at The Palace/DTE and Meadowbrook. He then went on to become a parts driver for O'Reillys till 2 years ago when he retired from there to be with my mom who has end stage Alzheimer's.

His love for his family is and was the most important thing in his life. He's been an amazing Papa to all the grandkids and great grandchildren and they were the little lights in his heart. Kids were his passion, he was always so good with them and he was a big kid himself. He was a baby whisperer and could always calm them almost instantaneously. He always had a hug or kind word for them. He was always willing to stop what he was doing and play with them even when he didn't feel up to it. NO wasn't a word in his vocabulary when it came to them. He was just amazing. We are all devastated at his loss. At the end, it tore him up knowing he wouldn't be able to see them grow up and spend more time with them.

He was the kindest man we've ever known and would give a stranger the shirt off his back and money out of his pocket. He never met a stranger and brightened everybody's day with a smile and his favorite saying "Have a great day, and a better tomorrow "

The song Bulletproof is perfect. A few lines really hit home. "Dad, do you know I love this hard because of you? It's a journey and I'm learning as I'm walking in your shoes. I've taken all of your lessons and gotten your message, If you ever wonder why I'm bulletproof, it's all because of you"

We love you Daddy, and we feel so broken right now. There is a huge hole in our hearts that will never be filled but we know you will always be part of us as we are of you.

Bobby is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marilyn Collins; his daughters Lori (Harold) Booth of Lapeer and Kristin (Keith) Czerwinski of Romeo; grandchildren Kyle (Melissa) Kratz, Nathan (Lottie) Kratz, * Emily (Tyler) Boose, Taylor (Elizabeth) Kratz, Spencer Kratz, Bailey Czerwinski, Jase Czerwinski and Jessica Czerwinski; great-grandchildren Damien Fultz, Elaina Thompson, Leilah Kratz, Mabel Kratz, Jane Kratz, Isabella Devito, Elsie Kratz, Dante Czerwinski, Kaylee Czerwinski, and Cortueze Elliot Jr. ; brothers Ralph Collins and Freddy Collins; sisters Charlotte (Bobby) Strader and Debra Jo Moore; close friend Kenny Wayne.

Bobby was preceded in death by his Parents Virgil and Carrie Collins; grandchildren Jason & Justin Czerwinski; brother Charles Edward Collins and good friend Lee Young.

A celebration of life is being planned for early September. Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors - Capstick Chapel in Lapeer.