Hillsboro businessman Danny Collins dies at 62
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Every appliance in my home was purchased from and delivered by Danny Collins. Or his father, Squeak, or his longtime business associate Steve Nartker.
The fact that those of us in the uptown Hillsboro business community have lost all three of these wonderful gentlemen and close, personal friends in the past year is difficult to comprehend.
The Lord does, indeed, work in mysterious ways. To all Highland County Press readers, I apologize for writing this as a first-person narrative, rather than a traditional news story.
But the fact is, Danny Collins was a friend and one of the most honest and straightforward individuals I've ever known. If he had something to say to you, he said it to you. He didn't say it behind your back. He looked you in the eye and said what was on his mind. His dad was the same way. And I liked them both.
Danny once told me after one of his many deliveries to the Ryan Compound, "If all of my customers paid their bills like you, I'd never need a bookkeeper or a business ledger."
Years later, as a business owner, I came to respect and appreciate what Danny meant. One time, about 25 years ago, Danny and Steve Nartker had to carry a refrigerator, a stove and a washer and dryer into our home in early February after weeks of rain and snow. And we had no driveway. Or sidewalk.
Smart guy that I am, I was conveniently not home that particular winter day. Pam apologized at length for the muddy, 400-foot trek from our township lane, through the basement and into the kitchen.
For a quarter of a century, Danny reminded me of that infamous delivery. A few weeks ago, we laughed about it for maybe the 500th time. And, as always, he asked me how my mother was. "How's Rosemary?" he said.
Danny and Squeak always asked. Danny knew about my parents' battles with cancer, not unlike his own. But instead of talking about his own issues, he always asked about my family. Always. So did Squeak. I miss them both.
In fact, I cannot imagine South High Street without them. I miss having a chew of tobacco with Squeak in the back room of the appliance store and spitting into a five-foot tall cardboard box. I miss Squeak telling me that in his day the newspapers charged $1 an inch for advertising. And I'd remind him that ice boxes hadn't been invented. He'd laugh. Then spit.
Danny left us this week at the all-too-young age of 62. For the past 25 years, he owned and operated Collins Appliance Store in Hillsboro, which has been a family business since 1948.
He is survived by his wife, Ramona Williams Collins; and two sons, Jeff and Kevin. St. Mary's Catholic Church will hold a Mass of Christian Burial for Danny on Monday, November 8.
By that time, Danny, Squeak and Steve will be sharing a few laughs and wishing the best for all of us. They might offer to fix St. Peter's TV reception in time for the Super Bowl.
Godspeed, Danny. And let's hope our GE appliances last as long as your service to the Hillsboro community.
(Note: Services for Danny Collins will be Monday, Nov. 8 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hillsboro, on the 90th anniversary of his father's birthday. For more information, log on to www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.)[[In-content Ad]]
The fact that those of us in the uptown Hillsboro business community have lost all three of these wonderful gentlemen and close, personal friends in the past year is difficult to comprehend.
The Lord does, indeed, work in mysterious ways. To all Highland County Press readers, I apologize for writing this as a first-person narrative, rather than a traditional news story.
But the fact is, Danny Collins was a friend and one of the most honest and straightforward individuals I've ever known. If he had something to say to you, he said it to you. He didn't say it behind your back. He looked you in the eye and said what was on his mind. His dad was the same way. And I liked them both.
Danny once told me after one of his many deliveries to the Ryan Compound, "If all of my customers paid their bills like you, I'd never need a bookkeeper or a business ledger."
Years later, as a business owner, I came to respect and appreciate what Danny meant. One time, about 25 years ago, Danny and Steve Nartker had to carry a refrigerator, a stove and a washer and dryer into our home in early February after weeks of rain and snow. And we had no driveway. Or sidewalk.
Smart guy that I am, I was conveniently not home that particular winter day. Pam apologized at length for the muddy, 400-foot trek from our township lane, through the basement and into the kitchen.
For a quarter of a century, Danny reminded me of that infamous delivery. A few weeks ago, we laughed about it for maybe the 500th time. And, as always, he asked me how my mother was. "How's Rosemary?" he said.
Danny and Squeak always asked. Danny knew about my parents' battles with cancer, not unlike his own. But instead of talking about his own issues, he always asked about my family. Always. So did Squeak. I miss them both.
In fact, I cannot imagine South High Street without them. I miss having a chew of tobacco with Squeak in the back room of the appliance store and spitting into a five-foot tall cardboard box. I miss Squeak telling me that in his day the newspapers charged $1 an inch for advertising. And I'd remind him that ice boxes hadn't been invented. He'd laugh. Then spit.
Danny left us this week at the all-too-young age of 62. For the past 25 years, he owned and operated Collins Appliance Store in Hillsboro, which has been a family business since 1948.
He is survived by his wife, Ramona Williams Collins; and two sons, Jeff and Kevin. St. Mary's Catholic Church will hold a Mass of Christian Burial for Danny on Monday, November 8.
By that time, Danny, Squeak and Steve will be sharing a few laughs and wishing the best for all of us. They might offer to fix St. Peter's TV reception in time for the Super Bowl.
Godspeed, Danny. And let's hope our GE appliances last as long as your service to the Hillsboro community.
(Note: Services for Danny Collins will be Monday, Nov. 8 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hillsboro, on the 90th anniversary of his father's birthday. For more information, log on to www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.)[[In-content Ad]]