Brody's Notes... Former AP Radio Editor/Bureau Chief Mike Collins-Gay Journalist's Mentor Dead

Facebook Photo of Michael Collins  Courtesy of NBCNews Connecticut 

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) June 29 | The Associated Press reported yesterday that veteran radio journalist & editor Michael Collins passed away on June 17th from what was termed by Orange, Connecticut., police Chief Robert Gagne  "some unusual circumstances."

According to NBCNews Connecticut; "The state medical examiner's office said the cause of Collins' June 17 death was poisoning by ethylene glycol, which is an antifreeze."

Collins, 63, was former Associated Press deputy bureau chief and editor for the AP's New York City bureau from from 1973 to 1988, feeding AP news to radio and TV outlets throughout the metropolitan area, running the network's wire broadcast services.

The AP reports:

"Collins left the AP to manage radio stations in Connecticut including WSNG in Torrington and WZBG in Litchfield. He then spent eight years as general manager for WQUN in Hamden as it became the Quinnipiac University station.

"He was a remarkable mentor," said Ray Andrewson, the current general manager. "He tirelessly advocated on behalf of students at Quinnipiac, mentored them, helped them find meaningful positions in broadcasting."

Journalist Warren Levinson, a radio and TV correspondent for the AP who received a 2010 National Edward R. Murrow Award,  told the Albany New York Times-Union newspaper referring to his friend;

"He was a puppy dog of a guy, an enthusiast about whom it was impossible to find anything bad to say, He loved, loved, loved radio."

Collins was an advocate for freedom of information and for gay journalists.

The New York chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association described him as "an incredible supporter and leader."

According to his Facebook page. he wrote that he was married to David Bryan Cappiello.

Orange Conn. Police said that the investigation is ongoing.