Peter M. Collins

OLEAN — Peter M. Collins, 67, of Olean, passed away Friday (Jan. 2, 2026) at 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, 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, Iowa, John (Pamela) Collins of South Bend Ind. and Joseph (Michael) Collins of New Hampshire; a sister-in-law, Lauren Collins of Palm Harbor, Fla.; 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 from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday (Jan. 9, 2026) and again from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 10, 2026) at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean. A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.