Maurice "Moe" L. Collin

It is with profound sadness but many wonderful memories that we share the passing of Moe Collin.   Born in Frenchville, ME on March 22, 1948, he was the son of Lucien Collin and Therese (Pelletier) Collin.  He spent most of his childhood making mischief in Lewiston, ME, New Britain, CT and Frog Hollow in Hartford.   

At 17 he joined the Marine Corps, a decision that would profoundly change the course of his life.  He had many adventures in Iceland and Cuba before being wounded in 1968 at Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, for which he received a Purple Heart.  After a year in the hospital and disability retirement from the military, he was employed as an auto body mechanic and postman to support his family before making the service of disabled veterans his life’s work.   Through the Disabled American Veterans and the CT Dept. of Veterans Affairs he devoted his life to making sure other veterans received the benefits they deserved.  He retired from the position of Acting Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for the State of CT and was inducted into the CT Veterans Hall of Fame, an honor of which he was most proud.  He continued helping vets through the DAV of CT,  the Rocky Hill Vet’s Center, the Newington VA Veteran’s Clothing Room, Veterans Base Camp and The Eastern CT Veterans Community Center.  He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America, and a member of the American Legion   and Marine Corp League. 

Moe enjoyed traveling to new places, especially those of natural beauty, and loved going to all types of live performances with his wife and friends.  He loved his family dearly and tried to be the best father, brother, Pepere and husband possible.  He lived his life with the philosophy of “every day is a gift” and said it often.  He loved classic cars and listening to the Oldies, especially his beloved Beatles.  He enjoyed a big bowl of chocolate anything.  Most of all, he loved just sitting by the lake with a beer, chatting with his family and friends and enjoying the peace it brought to him.  

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Leila (Beman) Collin, his brother Ronald Collin and his wife Kathryn of Manchester, CT, his son Marc Collin of Vernon, CT and his partner Karen Rock, his son Bryan Collin of Colchester, CT,  grandchildren Alex Collin, Renee Collin, Francis Collin, and Gabriel Collin. He leaves his sister-in-law Janet Beman, his close friend Lula Oakley and many other dear friends and relatives whom he loved and cherished.   Friends may call at Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home at 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester, CT on Monday, May 15, 2023 between the hours of 10AM-12PM.  Graveside service will be Monday, May 15, 2023 at 1PM with full military honors in the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT.   Moe’s family would like to thank Dr. Timothy Hong, Dr. Oscar Serrano and the incredible staff of Hartford Healthcare for their wise and compassionate care.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Disabled American Veterans or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital are gratefully appreciated.  

And please, the next time you see a vet, take the time to tell them “thank you”.  It means much more than you know. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.