Donald Collins, the war-hero father of Sen. Susan Collins of Maine whose own stellar political career inspired his daughter to enter public service, died late Saturday at the age of 92.
Collins, a graduate of Harvard Law School, served five terms as a Republican in the Maine House and Senate between 1970 and 1992.
As a member of the 87th Infantry during World War II, he was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge and earned two Purple Hearts, according to The Bangor Daily News.
Don Collins headed S.W. Collins Co., a lumber and building products business his family founded in 1844, working at the company from 1949 to 1992.
"Don represented the best of Maine: a dedicated public servant, a pillar of the business community and a loving husband and father," said Sen. Angus King, an independent. "His contributions, in the county and across our state, will not be forgotten, and our prayers are with his family during this difficult time."
Collins is survived by his wife of 70 years, Patricia Collins, and their six children.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.