Dean D. Collins

Dean D. Collins, 85, of Fitchburg passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at his home. Dean was born in Milan, Michigan but always called Madison “home”. He joined the US Air Force in 1957 and proudly served in Explosive Ordinance Disposal around the world. While stationed at Truax Field in Madison, he met his future wife, Laura. He spent his working years at IBM as a service technician, traveling all over southern Wisconsin working on typewriters and office equipment. Outside of work, Dean was an avid model railroader and master woodworker. He started woodworking by making a crib for each of his grandchildren, His family is blessed to have many other pieces of furniture such as tables, desks, beds, chessboards, and decorative boxes that Dean lovingly made over the years.

Dean is survived by his wife of almost 60 years Laura (Cuccia) Collins; daughter Laurean (Tom) Butcher, son John (Julie) Collins, and grandsons Jarrett, Ethan, John Michael, Hunter, Brody, Tyler, and Greyson. As Dean often said, ‘from his humble beginnings, he was so proud of his family and the life that he had.’ In addition to his family, Dean was friends with many people in the community, including a group of friends who met every Tuesday for lunch.