Daniel C. Collins

Daniel C. “Dan” Collins, 54, of East Haddam, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, at 11:28 p.m. on July 21, at Hartford Hospital, after a brief illness.

Dan was born May 26, 1972 in New Jersey to Marcia Redfield Collins and David Collins and later moved with his father to Lyme, Connecticut where he finished high school then attended technical school for CAD work.

He worked at AeroCision Operations (now of Kinetic Engine Systems) in Chester, CT, most recently as Production Control Planner, a career he started in 1994 when the aerospace manufacturing company was located in Old Saybrook and known as Pye & Hogan.

Dan was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Michael Sweet. He leaves behind family including daughter Brianna “Brie” Karina Collins and her boyfriend Lorenzo Susbilla of Sacramento CA; Brie’s mom Jessica Hamilton of Deep River; sister Donna Battalio and her husband Joe of Mississippi and their two sons, Michael Battalio of East Haven and his wife, Rebecca, and Bobby Battalio, also of Mississippi; cousin Chris Bard and his wife Heidi of Lyme and their daughters, Dax and Miella; aunt Sheila Bard of Lyme; aunt Nancy Carkhuff of Illinois and cousins Robin Crawford and Gary Carkhuff also of Illinois.

What Dan loved best in life was being a dad to his daughter, Brie, and second to that, spending time with his family and his many friends including coworkers. He enjoyed the red Ford F150 that he bought several years ago, competitive archery, music, and movies. He found a home living in the in-law apartment of his close friend Sean Morrissey and visiting with Sean’s children, dogs, and chickens.

Always a solid, even-keeled guy who enjoyed life, was a master of sarcasm, and laughed often, he will be remembered best for how he consistently and fully showed up for the people in his life.

A memorial party to celebrate Dan’s life was held at the Sportsman’s Club in East Lyme from 2-5 p.m. on September 26, 2026