Mr. Thomas Michael Collins, 82, of Machipongo, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 8, 2026, at his home in Vaucluse Shores.
Born Nov. 26, 1943, in Scranton, Pa., he was the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Betty) Collins. He moved to Cape Charles as a teenager and attended Cape Charles High School.
Tom dedicated 50 years of service to Bayshore Concrete Products in Cape Charles as the shipping coordinator. He was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and quiet pride in a job well done. He also served his community as a volunteer emergency medical technician for 16 years with the Cape Charles Rescue Squad.
Above all else, Tom cherished his family. Nothing brought him more joy than being part of his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives. He delighted in their accomplishments, supported their dreams, and celebrated every milestone with pride and love.
Tom was predeceased by his son, Todd M. Collins; his sister, Marge Powell; and his brother, Francis “Frank” Collins.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Taylor Collins; his daughter, Theresa C. Diggs, and son-in-law, Andrew J. Diggs, of Machipongo; two granddaughters, Kaitlyn T. Diggs, of Portland, Ore., and Adrienne L. Diggs (fiancé Nicholas “Nick” Corbin), of LaJolla, Calif.; his grandsons, William “Bud” H. Collins and his wife, Dynomeke “Deedee” Hunter, of Cape Charles, and Nicholas “Nick” T. Collins and his wife LesAlina “Lina” Collins, of Oak Harbor, Wash.; two great- grandchildren, William Collins and Willow Collins; two brothers, Charles “Chick” (Joanne) Collins, of Fort Myers, Fla., and Paul Collins (Ceci), of Orlando, Fla.; and his sister-in-law, Joyce Collins, of Townsend.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Tom’s caregivers and healthcare providers, Deedee Hunter, LPN, Theresa Diggs, and Mid-Atlantic Long Term Care — Jewel Burden, PA, and Melody Casey, LPN.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.
