Rita M. (Moricette) Collins

Port Henry

Rita M. Collins (Moricette) of Port Henry, NY passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

She was born on July 12, 1925 in Mineville, NY, the daughter of Edward and Delia (Haseltine) Moricette.

Rita was predeceased in death by her husband Bernard, parents Edward and Delia (Haseltine) Moricette, grandson Daniel P. Fellegara, siblings, June (Sylvester) Ploufe, Helen (Banks) Parnell, Norma (William Simpson) (Albert) Wheelock, James Moricette and Edward Moricette, who was killed in action in World War II.

Survivors include her children, Deborah (Kenneth) Gadway of Mineville, Terry (Kim) Collins of Port Henry, Kathleen (Peter) Fellegara of Fairport, NY, and Patricia (Joseph) Bruno of Ogden, NY, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Rita was a graduate of Mineville High School and prior to her marriage in 1950 was employed with the Federal Government Housing Project in Grover Hills. From 1950 until Bernard’s death in 1969, Rita and Bernard owned and operated Collins Restaurant Motel and Bar in Port Henry. After Ben’s passing, Rita continued to run the business for 48 more years until her death.

Rita was an avid reader and a gifted storyteller. She did not travel the world; but the world came to her through the many visitors to her business from all around the globe. Everyone who knew Rita enjoyed listening to her entertaining, unique, and detailed stories of her life experiences. So many were touched personally by them and she was loved by the entire town.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Port Henry, followed by interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Moriah Ambulance Squad, 2829 Plank Rd., Moriah Center, NY 12961 or to the Daniel P. Fellegara Endowment Fund, Clarkson University, attn.; Zachery Taylor, Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, CU Box 5522, Potsdam, NY 13699 (checks made payable to Clarkson University).

To leave condolences for the family please visit www.harlandfuneralhome.com.

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