Popular journalist in western Massachusetts dies at 54; 'When you heard what he said, you believed him'

Chris Collins
(Greenfield Recorder photo by Paul Franz)

Western Massachusetts broadcaster and newspaper columnist Chris Collins died over the weekend after recent surgery for longstanding heart problems. He was 54.

Those who knew Collins "say he made a big mark as a small-town journalist," Alden Bourne reports for New England Public Media. "Over a career spanning decades, Collins served as program director at WHMP radio in Northampton, news director at WHAI radio in Greenfield and as a columnist for the Greenfield Recorder. He was also a regular guest on New England Public Media's 'The Short List.' Most recently, Collins was the general manager for Frontier Community Access Television in Franklin County."

Collins was instrumental in launching local news site Franklin County Now, Domenic Poli reports for the Recorder. Several local politicians praised Collins, saying he was "very fair and impartial" and "a just-the-facts man."

"You know the old saying, 'You got the pulse of the county?' You know you put your thumb down and you knew exactly what was going on? That was like Chris," longtime friend Bobby Campbell told Bourne. "People trusted him so much that when you met him, you trusted him. So when you heard what he said, you believed him."