Obituary of Peter M. Collins

Peter M. Collins Olean, NY Peter M. Collins, 67, of Olean, passed away Friday (January 2, 2026) at the Olean General Hospital after a sudden illness. Born May 4, 1958 in Olean, he was the son of Richard R. and Joan D. Sowinski Collins. On July 1, 2000 at Cuba Lake, NY he married Valerie A. Congdon who survives. Peter was a graduate of Olean High School and the BOCES program. He was principally a truck driver for many years but also held various other jobs in the Olean area, including the former AVX, for Home Depot, and as a bus driver. He loved the water, especially boating and water skiing. He enjoyed many years at the family cottage at Cuba Lake where he treated his children, nieces, and nephews to boat rides and tubing. In his earlier years he hunted and enjoyed golfing with friends. He leaves behind his wife, Valerie; two daughters, Jessica Collins of Olean and Cristina Orcutt of Olean; one son, Nathan Hoffman of Salamanca; six grandchildren, Liam Hammond, Rhyannon Luper-Orcutt, Logan Hammond, Marcus Collins, Samantha Collins, and Stanley Collins; four brothers, Patrick (Janice) Collins of Franklinville, Matthew (Carol) Collins of Dubuque, IA, John (Pamela) Collins of South Bend IN, and Joseph (Michael) Collins of New Hampshire; a sister-in-law, Lauren Collins of Palm Harbor, FL, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, a son, David A. Collins, and a brother Raymond Collins. The family will receive friends on Friday from 4-7pm and again on Saturday (January 10, 2026) from 11am to noon at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A funeral service will begin at noon in the funeral home. Rev. Dennis J. J. Mancuso will officiate. Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.