Edward J. Collins, Jr.

Early life Collins was born and raised in Hyde Park. He attended Archbishop Williams High School, Boston College, and Boston College Law School.

Saugus, Massachusetts Collins was a 30-year resident of Saugus, Massachusetts. He spent one year as a town meeting member and one term (1977 to 1979) as a member of the Board of Selectmen. He then spent ten years as a member of the Board of Appeals. He was the architect of the town's Capital Improvement Plan, which resulted in the construction of the new public safety building, senior center, library and public works facility. He also secured funding for the renovation of Saugus Town Hall. In the fall of 2000 he suffered a stroke which limited his ability to work. He retired in 2002, but stayed on as a special advisor until 2005.

Death and legacy Collins died on January 29, 2007, at his home in North Reading, Massachusetts, after a lengthy illness. In July 2008, the new Center for Public Management was established at the University of Massachusetts Boston by Governor Deval Patrick and the state legislature and was named in his honor.