Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM APRIL 2022 53 on the boards of the Notre Dame Club of Minnesota and the national Notre Dame Senior Alumni. "He was committed to always doing the right thing." In Minnesota, Collins was actively engaged in virtually all of the club's service projects — including volun- teering several times a month to serve meals at homeless shelters, participat- ing in the annual Children's Christmas Party, supporting veterans initiatives, promoting fund raising for scholar- ships and other causes. In 2014, Col- lins was the catalyst and co-founder of the club's Catholic Charities Higher Ground initiative — the club's signature service program aiding the homeless. Nationally, Collins served two terms as president of the Notre Dame Senior Alumni Board. During this time, he led NDSA in new directions, and in 2015 he co-founded the NDSA Senior Open Golf Tournament — an annual fund-raising event that generates scholarships for children of ND veterans. "Leo led by example," Schnaus added. "He was always the first to show up at events, and then would welcome other members as they arrived. He was posi- tive and supported the efforts of others to help make each project successful. And, his humor and quick wit added an extra layer of fun to every activity. "He represented the best of what a Notre Dame person could be." Beyond his Notre Dame work, Collins was active in a long list of charitable causes, including Interfaith Outreach, Crossroads Africa, St. Joseph Orphan- age, Special Olympics and many more. Said Collins' son Coley (named for ND football teammate Coley O'Brien): "Dad was a player in the game of life. He showed up, he led with enthusiasm and optimism. He cared about others, al- ways helping them in any way possible." Daughter Babs recalled her dad's cre- ativity and artistic side, and that he was "joyful almost to a fault." In eulogizing his brother, Ken Collins (ND '68) said: "For my entire life I will only have one older brother — his name was Leo Collins — and he was special. Leo, you gave us 76 years of your joy, your purpose, and your presence — I wish there had been more." Tom Heiden, recalling numerous in- stances of personal kindnesses received from Collins, remembered his friend with these words: "The world would be a much better place if only we all had a little more of Leo in us." ✦ Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jlefebvre@blueandgold.com Your book order supports the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. Order your autographed, inscribed copy of these books TODAY by visi ng www.RockneSociety.org/Shop or calling 612-242-3581 Get the full story on these iconic Notre Dame figures These books are a great read for any Notre Dame fan. "A must-read real jewel… wonderfully researched and detailed." --SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE "The defini ve piece on this American hero." --COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME Loyal Sons: The Story of The Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions Winner – Independent Publisher Book Awards Coach For A Na on: The Life and Times of Knute Rockne Winner – Independent Publisher Book Awards Collins was always about helping others, through his enthusiasm and people-centered personality. PHOTO COURTESY COLLINS FAMILY