Father Thomas Richard (Tom) Collins, age 79, of Hot Springs, died Monday, June 8, 2026 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke. The cause of death was complications from a stroke. Father Collins was born September 20, 1946 in Queens, NY, the son of the late William O. Collins and Edith E. (Koptick) Collins. Following his seminary training, he was ordained in Richmond, Virginia on May 13, 1972. He served as a parish priest and pastor in the Diocese of Richmond for more than 50 years, even continuing his ministry into retirement. He served in numerous, predominantly rural, parishes in the diocese, including Norton, Richlands, Lovington, Keyser (WV), Covington, Clifton Forge and Hot Springs; his urban assignments were in Richmond, Norfolk and Weirton, WV. Over the years, “Father Tom” was active in the Cursillo movement, the Carmelite community and pro-life ministries, serving as a spiritual director and advisor. He was, for many years, the Spiritual Director of the Richmond Curia of the Legion of Mary. At the time of his death, he was the retired Priest in Residence at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Hot Springs, providing ministerial support to parishes in Covington, Clifton Forge, Staunton and Waynesboro and also served as Treasurer for the Covington Ministerial Association. A priestly scholar, Father Tom was well read on issues of liturgy and canon law, and authored a number of clarifying essays on Church doctrine. Serving in some economically depressed areas, he not only contributed generously to local church missions but also extended personal financial aid, within his means, to many individuals in the communities he served. He earned the love and gratitude of innumerable parishioners through his caring concern and good nature. Always ready to inject levity into a conversation, he had a veritable litany of jokes and comic anecdotes at the ready. (At times his humor might evoke a groan, but who should be surprised to hear a “Dad Joke” from a priest?) Father Collins is survived by three brothers, Gerard M. Collins of Annandale, VA, Christopher P. Collins of Radford, and Kevin P. Collins of Midlothian, as well as niece and nephews Maximilian Collins, Miranda Collins, Blaise Collins and Ronan Collins. In addition to his parents, Father Collins was preceded in death by two brothers, William O. Collins, Jr. and Father Joseph F. Collins. A Christian Wake will be conducted Sunday evening, June 14, 2026 from 6 – 8 P.M. in the chapel of Loving Funeral Home in Covington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Monday, June 15, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Covington with the Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, Bishop of the Richmond Diocese, officiating. Interment will then take place at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Low Moor, followed by a bereavement luncheon in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Father Collins’ memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.