F. Joseph Collins, age 81 of Three Mile Point Rd., Chaumont, died Tuesday June 10th at Samaritan Medical Center. Born in Watertown on November 20, 1926, the son of Jeremiah and Ethel McQuade Collins. He graduated from Watertown High School and the Conservancy of Music in June of 1944. He also was educated at Potsdam State Teachers College and Crane School of Music and attended Oswego State Teachers College. Mr. Collins began his career in 1948 and was employed as Music Director at Adams High School and Lyme Central School. He also formed a marching band at Immaculate Heart Academy and continued at Immaculate Heart Central. This band competed at all county fairs, Saranac Lake Winter Festivals, N.Y.S. Fair in Syracuse, traveled to Canada and the Winter Olympics in 1980 in Lake Placid and in 1981 at Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. He also directed musicals at Lyme Central and Immaculate Heart. He also formed a marching band at Augustinian Academy in Carthage and a marching band for four parochial schools in Watertown. These bands competed at the Watertown Christmas Parades. Mr. Collins continued the elementary instrumental program at St. Patrick's School for 15 years and continuously gave private lessons in piano and accordion and all band instruments until he retired in 2005. He married Virginia Hewitt on August 29, 1949 at Holy Family Church by his uncle Rev. Cornelius Collins. The couple resided on Stone St. in Watertown for several years. He is survived by his wife Virginia and eight children: three sons Jerry and Cindi Collins of Memphis, N.Y., James and Susan Collins of Three Mile Bay and Joseph and Miranda Collins of Three Mile Bay and five daughters: Jolie and Michael Jerry of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Jacqueline and Gregory Lavarnway of Three Mile Bay, Jane Anne Collins of Three Mile Bay, Jeanette and Alan Jones of Three Mile Bay and Jeanne and Stephen Korman of Black River. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and numerous cousins. He enjoyed marching band, fishing, sailing, hunting, gardening, playing cards and family gatherings. A funeral mass will be held Friday 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, Chaumont with Fr. Michael Gaffney and Fr. Pierre Aubin officiating. Burial will be in Three Mile Bay Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 3-7 P.M. Thursday at the Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter. Donations may be made to Sisters of St. Joseph 1425 Washington St., Watertown, N.Y. 13601.