Roy Edward Collins, 69, school district engineer, former Marine

A COUSIN DESCRIBED Roy Collins as a "native New Yorker who lived in Philly."

No insult intended to Philadelphia, the actual city of his birth and where he made his living, but Roy "just loved New York," said his cousin, Rosemary Eady.

He thought nothing of driving to the Big Apple to pick up a cheesecake at the famous Junior's Restaurant in Brooklyn and drive back the same day.

He was also there for the Thanksgiving Day parade and other iconic events.

"He knew New York like the back of his hand," Rosemary said.

Roy Edward Collins, a 20-year employee of the School District of Philadelphia, former Marine and active Mason, died Nov. 11 of cancer. He was 69 and lived in University City.

Called "Buddy" by family and friends, his last position for the school district was as an engineer at Julia R. Masterman School, 16th and Spring Garden streets.

One of Buddy's proudest accomplishments when he was living in Wynnefield was the formation of the Ebonite Academy Cadets, which he organized after leaving the Marine Corps.

The drill team traveled widely on the East Coast and won many honors. His young cadets called him "Captain Collins."

He enjoyed watching the kids grow over the years into young adults, and many of them kept in touch with him, crediting him with being a major influence in their lives, his cousin said.

"He had a huge personality," Rosemary said. "You always knew he was in the room. He was extraordinarily social.

"Buddy had no problem telling people how he felt or what he thought they should do. There was never a dull moment when Buddy was around. He was loved, respected and admired by many."

For a time he was a driver for W. Wilson Goode Sr., when Goode was mayor (1984-1992). Goode, now a Baptist minister, will officiate at Buddy's funeral.

"He was an extra-good man, very engaging, outgoing and passionate," said Goode, longtime friend of the family. "People gravitated to him. He was the kind of person you could relate to and have fun with. He was very opinionated. He had an opinion on everything, and, of course, he was always right."

Buddy was born in Philadelphia to Martha Collins and John Roy Overton. He was educated at Alexander Wilson Elementary School, Shaw Junior High School and Bok Technical High School. He later attended Peirce Junior College.

After graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, and served stateside.

Buddy held leadership positions with a number of Masonic organizations.

He is survived by four daughters, Wanda Day, Gina Wilson, Charlene Collins and Morgan Riley; his mother, Martha Collins; three sisters, Diane Taylor, Elva Overton and Carol Overton; a brother, John Overton; and four grandchildren.

Services: Celebration of Life, 6 p.m. tomorrow at First Baptist Church of Paschall, 7100 Woodland Ave.