O God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
It is with great sadness that the family of John Andrew Collins announce his passing on October 2, 2017. He leaves us in his 67th year, in Barrie Ontario. John leaves behind his loving children Dawn (Ben) Passmore, Katie Collins, Jonathan Collins, their mother Marlene Collins (nee Natomagan), his grandchildren Olive and James Passmore, his beloved sister Margie (David) Lochhead, and his much loved niblings Kelly, Kristy, and Matthew McGillivray, Shanna (Brian) Hoetmer, Rachel (Dan) Farnsworth, and Devon Lochhead.
John was born on December 30, 1950, in Kincardine to the late John Burton and Katherine Elizabeth Collins (nee Patterson). Born and raised a Ripley boy, he was an adventurer at heart with a generous, spontaneous, and imaginative spirit. He became a teacher, like his mother before him, which allowed him to explore the world, experiencing life in Northern Saskatchewan, Botswana, and China, and visiting many other places. He always took the scenic route and will be remembered as a pioneer, a storyteller, a gentle and kind soul, and maybe a little bit of a troublemaker, too, but always a steadfast Bahá’í. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.
John is predeceased by his parents and his sisters Mary Lou Collins and Sandra McGillivray. Funeral will be held on Friday October 6, 2017 at 1pm at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home in Barrie. Online memories and condolences may be forwarded through www.steckleygooderham.com .
Donations in John's memory may be made to Katherine Collins.