James J. Collins, formerly of West Scranton, passed away Friday. Born in Scranton, son of the late John M. and Mary E. Powers Collins, he was a 1967 graduate of West Scranton's St. Patrick's High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Scranton in 1971 and matriculated at Fordham University Graduate School, Bronx, New York. He also attended St. Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland; SUNY-Binghamton, New York. He earned a paralegal certificate from the Blackstone School of Law, Dallas, Texas. A long-time journalist, he began his writing career as a sportswriter at the Binghamton Sun-Bulletin. He was also a sportswriter at the former Scranton Tribune/Scrantonian before becoming a staff writer at the Scranton Times. He was twice named the "Sportswriter of the Year" by the Minor Professional Football Association, as well as "Friend of Education" by the Scranton Education Association. Later in life, he served as industry education coordinator at the Career Tech Center, Scranton. A member of the Scranton Planning Commission during the Connors Administration, he was a charter member and first president of the Tourette's Syndrome Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania. He was a long-time member of the Lithuanian Beneficial Association, West Scranton, as well as a one-time member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Binghamton, NY. In his later years, he was a self-taught keyboardist and loved playing at Mass at St. Blaise Chapel, Cressom, Cambria County, and St. Dismas Chapel, Hunlock Creek. He loved his Catholic faith. He is survived by his sister, Maryrose Bobrowski and husband Larry of Sewell, New Jersey; brother, John M. Collins and wife Susan of West Scranton; his brother-in-law, Walter Shermanski of Jermyn; nieces and nephews and a grandniece and grand nephew. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Kathleen Shermanski; several aunts, uncles, and cousins, including actor/playwright, Jason Miller. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 17th, at 11:00AM in St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 1403 Jackson Street. Interment will follow at the Cathedral Cemetery, Oram Street in Scranton. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at the church from 10AM until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in James' name to the Tourette's Syndrome Association, 42-40 Bell Blvd., Suite 205, Bayside, New York, 11361. Arrangements are under the care of the Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 N. Main Avenue, Scranton, 18504.