Fr James B Collins III

Chaplain (Major) James B. Collins III

Chaplain (Major) James B. Collins IlI passed away on November 5th, 2024
after a brief illness. James was born on September 14, 1965 in Elizabeth,
NJ to James B. Collins Jr. and Mary Barbara Collins (Klug).

James graduated from Jersey City College, in New Jersey before accepting
a position with the FBI. After attending a few Catholic masses, following a
long absence, James decided to enter the priesthood and began his
journey as a seminarian at St. Joseph's Seminary and College, in Yonkers,
NY.
In 1999, he entered the Army Chaplains Basic Officers Course at Fort
Jackson, South Carolina. After completing the course, James returned to
the seminary and was ordained as a priest in 2004. In 2005, he joined the
New York National Guard as a chaplain and went on active duty in 2013.
After five posts, James’ final post was at Fort Liberty in North Carolina.

Father Collins is survived by his mother and father, his sister Maryrose
Collins-Orlans, brother John A Collins Sr, brother in law Bart Orlans, sister
in law Silvana M. Collins, nieces Veronica C Orlans and Meghan C Collins,
nephews John A Collins II and James B Collins, his godparents, Marian
Claffy and Thomas Klimuc Sr., aunts, uncles, cousins, brother priests,
fellow service members, and countless friends.