Andrew “Andy” Collins was born March 7, 1940 in Glens Falls, NY, the son of Frederick A. Collins and Derry Holler Collins. He grew up on Upper Broadway, Fort Edward and attended Hudson Falls Central Schools, graduating in 1958. While in high school he was a member of the track team, choir and choraliers, the yearbook committee, student government, and a charter member of Key Club.
He graduated from Villanova University, School of Commerce and Finance, Villanova, PA, where he was an active member and treasurer of the Blue Key Society and managing editor of the yearbook. After graduation he returned to Hudson Falls to join his father [and later brother] in the family business, Pender Towly, a women’s retail clothing store.
Community involvement began immediately. He became an active member and later president of the HF Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, member and president. He was a member of the HF Planning Board, as chairman for 25 years. He served on the local American Red Cross Board of Directors and later chairman of the board. He held several volunteer positions at the national level for the American Red Cross. As a communicant of St. Mary’s/ St. Paul’s, he formerly taught in the religious education program and was an usher for many years. More recently he has served on the board of directors of Girl Scouts NENY and CWI as treasurer and board member and chairman of the American Red Cross Centennial Committee.
He retired as the executive director of the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. During his tenure there he was very active in numerous local and state initiatives.
In 1963 he married Nancy Whiting, also a member of the Class of 1958, HFCS. They have three children, all HFCS graduates, Amy C. Jumbelic, Karen C. Prakelt, and Brian A. Collins. Since retirement in 2003, he and Nancy have enjoyed travel, their four grandchildren, and their home in HF.