Collins, Columbus editor, dies less than two weeks after retiring

Published: 2004-02-12

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CNS) -- Michael E. Collins, who retired Jan. 30 after 42 years with The Catholic Times, the Columbus diocesan newspaper, died Feb. 11 from an apparent massive coronary. He was 65. His funeral was scheduled for Feb. 14 at Holy Name Church in Columbus, followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery. In tributes before his retirement, colleagues called Collins "a valuable diocesan treasure" as well as "a living dictionary, almanac and encyclopedia." "I probably know as much about the Catholic Church in this diocese in the last 40 years as anybody," Collins had said in an interview when he retired. He joined The Catholic Times fresh out of college in 1962. In 1966, he became news editor. A few years later, he was named editor, at the age of 31. Collins served as editor for 25 years before becoming consulting editor, a position he held for the past nine years.

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