Dennis Michael Collins

Scarborough

Dennis Michael Collins, 75, of Scarborough, passed away Wednesday evening on July 8, 2026, at Scarborough Veterans' Home surrounded by his daughters.

He was born in Dorchester, MA, on February 14, 1951, a son of Cornelius and Gladys (Sears) Collins. Dennis was raised alongside his brother and three sisters in Dorchester.

Dennis spent his teenage years with St. Kevin's Emerald Knights Drum Corps after his father encouraged him to join. There he made lifelong friends. His brother often joked that the drum corps did a pretty good job of keeping them out of trouble.

Dennis graduated from Boston Technical High School and later decided to support his country by enlisting in the United States Army where he served honorably until he was discharged.

Dennis was well known for his skills as a handyman. He owned and operated Collins Carpets and loved keeping busy with projects in the yard.

He met and later married Julie (Kerry) Collins, on March 27, 1993. They were married until her passing in May of 2024.

Soon after marrying, the couple moved to Las Vegas, NV, where Dennis was employed as a Casino Manager for many years. In 2012, Dennis and Julie came back to Maine.

Dennis was a member of the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge and enjoyed the community they served. He could be found on the golf course or at the Brunswick enjoying a Miller Lite. He loved spending time in the summers going to the beach with his grandchildren and throwing footballs around any chance he could get.

Dennis never stopped loving his children or being proud of the people they had become. He knew that he hadn't always gotten everything right, but he was always talking about them—with affection, and unmistakable pride—as though they were always close by. They remained in his thoughts and in his heart every day, and his greatest wish was that each of them would always know just how deeply and completely he loved them.

Dennis was predeceased by his parents, his wife: Julie Collins, and his sister: Gladys Doll.

He is survived by his daughters: Jillian Smith and husband Jeffrey of Salem NH, Kristen Delaney and husband Jake of North Andover MA , Ashley Cummings and husband Chris of North Andover MA and, his son: Dennis Collins and wife Heather of Swampscott MA, his brother: Neil Collins, his sisters: Eileen Flaherty and Patsy Dunn, his former wife: Lois Bullis-who he shared four children with, his brother in law: Michael Kerry, and grandchildren Skylar, Grady, Colin, Tripp, Bella, Logan, Dylan, and Liam, as well as many nieces and nephews.

His daughter Jillian would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Julia Bowie; nursing director/best bud who treated him as her own, as well as all the staff at Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough. Dennis was so loved and cared for right up to his final moments. I am so very thankful.

Visiting Hours will take place from 1PM-3PM on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, Saco. Military honors will follow at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, Saco.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Dennis' name to https://www.cureald.org/donate

To view Dennis' memorial page or leave an online condolence please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com