Edward Linwood “Boots” Collins, 92, a lifelong resident of Deale, MD passed away July 22, 2013 at his residence. Boots, as he was best known was born May 1, 1921 in Deale to William and Catherine (Knopp) Collins. He was raised and attended school in Deale. He married Miriam Kirchner on June 1, 1949 and they lived on Parker’s Creek in Deale. Boots was a lifelong waterman, catching crabs, fish and oysters. He also worked at several local boatyards, the Chesapeake Yacht Club, Jim Rhodes Boatyard, both in Shady Side and Kirchner’s Boatyard in Chalk Point, where he worked with his brother-in-law, Kenny Kirchner for over thirty years. He also owned and operated Collins Marine Railway in Deale, where he worked with his son Bootie until retiring in 2006 at the age of 85. Boots was one of the founders of the Deale Volunteer Fire Department. He loved baseball, especially the Baltimore Orioles and he also enjoyed gardening.

Boots was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Thelma and Mildred Hinton and a brother Bill Collins. He is survived by his loving wife Miriam Kirchner Collins, a son Keith A. “Bootie” Collins of Deale and a daughter Lindy Lou Clark of West River. Also surviving are grandchildren Melissa L. Clark of West River, Brian K. Clark and wife Cristina of Lothian, Crystal L. Collins of Shady Side and Katie V. Collins of Deale, and great-grandchildren Mason and Gracie Cruz of West River.