ROCKLAND — James Roy Collins, 49, had a joyous reunion with his Savior in the evening hours of Sept. 3, 2015.

Jim, as he was known, was born, Feb. 11, 1966, to Robert and Ramona Collins in Rockland, a place he called home for nearly his entire life. From an early age, Jim came to know a life of adversity after a childhood illness left his hearing permanently impaired. Jim loved Rockland and started his working life here with a paper route and operating a lawn mowing business.

Jim graduated in 1984 from Rockland District High School, where he had been a member of the baseball and football teams. He married Lisa Yattaw of Spruce Head on Sept. 24, 1988. The marriage soon produced two children, Kayla and Jacob. Jim was a talented machinist, previously working at Bicknell's in Rockland before moving to Knox Machine Co. in Warren, where he would remain for 25 years.

Jim came to his faith later in life, though quickly committed his life to Christ. Through his example and his personal testimony, he led several to the faith and guided many friends and relatives through troubled times. In time, Jim was called to serve as a deacon both at Owls Head Baptist Church and West Rockport Baptist Church. His faith became stronger when he was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer in 2005. His fast action in alerting his relatives to the fact that the cause of the disease was genetic likely saved many lives. Throughout the years of battling cancer, Jim constantly amazed his relatives and friends with his perseverance and ability to rebound from various treatments. While cancer may have defeated his body, it never succeeded in conquering his spirit.

Jim was a lifelong fisherman and took special enjoyment in sharing calm mornings at sunrise with his friends and children fishing for mackerel. In his earlier years, he spent countless hours in the woods hunting deer and turkey. He had a keen talent for carpentry. Jim was also a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. He passed on his passion for sports and fair play by coaching several of his children's T-ball and farm league teams. In addition, he spent several years acting as a mentor in the local Boy Scouts. Toward the end of his life, Jim continued to develop new interests and began keeping bees with his daughter.

Jim lived his life in such a way that his character could be an example to others. Through ten years of battling cancer, he displayed a quiet strength and refused to complain, all while displaying limitless amount of compassion for others. He passed quietly and peacefully, surrounded by those who knew him best and who sent him off to glory with much love. Already, he is sorely missed and will never be forgotten in the hearts of those who knew him.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lisa; his son, Jacob; his daughter, Kayla as well as her husband, Devin Fairfield, and their three children, Malachi, Henry and Evelyn. He is also survived by his sisters and their families, Patricia and David Vinal of Warren, Sandra Clement of Union, and Cheryl and Jeff Cash of Owls Head; his brothers, Robert and Alice Collins of Rockland, and Charles Collins and his companion, Melissa Elwell of Rockport and Spruce Head; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their children. He was predeceased by his mother and father; as well as his half-brother, Timothy.

Family and friends are invited to visit Friday, Sept. 11 from 6 to p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A Home-Going Celebration will be held Saturday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m at West Rockport Baptist Church, 545 Park St. in West Rockport. The Rev. Dr. David English will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Bob Gagnon Cancer Fund, c/o Pen Bay Healthcare, 22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841 or to The American Cancer Society Oklahoma City, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, and note "Downeaster Fund" in the memo line.