Albert Al Collins, Longtime Westford resident, Albert Al Collins, Jr., 87, died April 21, 2012 at Berlin Health & Rehabilitation Center in Berlin, Vermont. Born on August 16, 1924 in Arlington, Massachusetts, he was the eldest son of Albert and Beatrice (Hosmer) Collins. Educated in Watertown schools, he married Myrtie Bonnie Kincaid in 1943 and enlisted in the US Navy the same year. Upon a medical discharge, Al and Bonnie made their home in Belmont until 1952, when they moved to Westford. Al was employed by Babcock Equipment in Needham until his retirement. After 57 years, he left his beloved home of Westford in 2009 when he moved to Woodstock, Vermont to be near his grand-niece, Jennifer. A master vegetable gardener, Als tomatoes were famous throughout the town of Westford. A weather buff and a lover of history, Al was particularly interested in the history of New England and Westford. He was also a virtual database of facts and figures about the town of Westford. Al was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox. This fact posed a problem when he learned that one of his nurses during his final weeks was a Yankees fan. In addition to many wonderful friends, old and new, Al leaves behind his grand-nieces, Jennifer (Hewitt) Blomback of Waitsfield, VT and her husband, Kris, and Kimberly (Hewitt) Spectre of Searsmont, ME and her husband, Nathan, and several nieces and nephews. Al also leaves behind his constant companion, Maggie the cat, and his community of friends and adopted family of Woodstock Terrace. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Bonnie Collins, and his siblings, William Collins and Pauline Collins Stetson. Cremation has taken place and a private burial in Westford is planned in May.