COLLINS, CHARLES F. of Reading, formerly of Milton. On August 23 at the age of 89.

Charles was born and raised in Milton and graduated from Harvard College in 1953.  He then enlisted in the U.S. Army for a three- year tour of duty and served in Japan with the Counter Intelligence Corps for two years.  Upon his return home, he began his studies towards an MBA at Harvard Business School but left to begin his career in banking as a Trust Officer.

Known for his wit and intelligence, and his love of clothes, Charlie was an avid reader of history and current events.  Upon his retirement he joined the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement (HILR) where he led over a dozen study groups on a variety of topics, challenging his study group members to examine their intellectual biases and look at issues from new perspectives. He loved the opportunity to study and learn from fellow students in the collegial setting at HILR. He and his wife Eileen (nee Cooper) enjoyed travel, especially to Ireland and France, theater and concerts and exploring the countryside.

In addition to his wife Eileen, he leaves his brothers and sisters in law Paul and Maureen Cooper of Malden and Richard and Alice Cooper of Gloucester.  Charlie also leaves his children from his first marriage, including Charles H. Collins and his wife Carla of Billerica, Peter G. Collins and his wife Ruth of Weymouth, and Ann Doherty and her husband Evan of Sherborn and four grandchildren. His son Neil predeceased him, as did his sisters Alice E. Collins and Anstiss M. Collins of Milton. He is survived by his brother Jack T. Collins of Natick. Funeral services will be private.