I met BT at Arcbishop Stepinac HS in White Plains, NY. We sat across from each other for 4 years and we interspersed shenanigans with schooling, managing just doing enough to graduate.

We went to different colleges and he was expelled from several before signing up for the US Army Green Berets. BT served two tours in Vietnam and it was during the second that he was the victim of a grenade blast that almost took his life but did take his right arm and leg.

BT returned home and after many operations he decided to attend Santa Clara University (“good for an amputee like me ‘cause it’s small and flat”) where at the age of 29 he began his new life. He achieved his Bachelor’s degree and went on to earn a Juris Doctorate degree from Santa Clara Law School.

One of BT’s law school professors recommended him to Governor Jerry Brown who when he interviewed BT asked, ”Why should I, a Democrat, hire a Republican?” BT replied that he had always wanted to work for a “short, fat ex-priest.” Brown hired him on the spot.

BT was the Governor’s liaison with the legislature, Director of the California Youth Authority and was elected to the California Assembly. He was also named Director of the California Conservation Corps which, at the time was in dire shape. The corps was to assist youths between 18 and 22 learn skills as well as perform tasks needed by state entities but not otherwise budgeted. At the time, however, it was drug infested and poorly managed – so much so that the legislature planned on dismantling it. BT turned it around quickly to the extent that when he went before the legislature for a budget hearing, they doubled the amount of funding that he requested.

BT suffered a fatal heart attack while on the way to hear General Colin Powell speak. He died too young at the age of 52.

BT would set aside everything else and quietly go to Travis Air Force base to meet planes returning Vietnam and greet the troops. He would especially encourage any amputees with the message that life can go on successfully.

He did so many good things and influenced so many people positively.

He was one of a kind.

Sincerely,

Tom Griffin

FBI Special Agent (Retired)
 

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Mail letters and checks to:

Archbishop Stepinac High School
Attn: Paul Thomas
950 Mamaroneck Ave.  ●  White Plains, NY 10605

Please make checks payable to: "Stepinac HS Foundation-BT Collins"

Telephone 1-914-946-4800  ●  Email: pthomas@stepinac.org