Christopher J. "Cj" Collins

COLLINS, Christopher J. "CJ", 77, of Richmond, VA passed away Friday, March 29, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents, Billings Collins and Rita Zurawski, and his youngest brother, Timothy Collins. Chris was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. After completing his first year of undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served his country for four years.

After being discharged from the Navy, Chris settled in Northern Virginia, where he fell in love with his wife, Sheryl, and graduated from George Mason University. He was a nationally recognized member of George Mason's Forensics Team. Following his graduation from George Mason, Chris graduated from the William and Mary Law School.

Shortly thereafter, he hung out a shingle and started his own criminal defense practice in the Central Virginia region. Chris attracted the attention of fellow attorneys and the Courts, quickly establishing himself as a well-respected, successful attorney in Virginia's legal community, defending 105 capital murder cases. Chris was a leading attorney in Virginia's history of Capital Murder litigation. He would eventually become a Substitute Judge in the Richmond Courts.

Local attorneys would describe the volume of his practice as startling. Chris never turned down a single court-appointed case. He often took cases that were condemned by the public because he felt so strongly about his ethical commitment to provide every human being with a competent, committed, and compassionate defense attorney.

In addition to his extraordinary work within the Courts of Virginia, Chris supported criminal justice and abhorred the death penalty. He was a member of and Past President of the Richmond Criminal Bar Association. Chris was a regular contributor to the Young Lawyer's Association. He was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, teaching Capital Murder Litigation for many years.

Outside of the courtroom, Chris could be found coaching his sons' baseball teams at Chamberlayne Laburnum Athletic Association, playing golf with fellow lawyers and judges, or off somewhere finishing the crossword puzzle. Chris was a curious world traveler and an avid photographer. At the end of the day, he loved nothing more than a hot bath, a good book, and a little peace and quiet.

He is survived by his wife, Sheryl; son, Billings Collins (Erica), their children Stella and Christopher; son, Christopher Collins (Grace); brother, Mike Collins; brother, Bob Collins (Sue); sister, Mary Koglin (Chris); sister, Sue Ettinger (Jim).

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, April 19th at Bliley's Funeral Home, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, where a Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20th.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society (Donate Today | The American Cancer Society); the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Make a Donation - JDRF); or the Alzheimer's Association (Alzheimer's Association | Donate to Fight Alzheimer's Disease).