COLLINS, Charles 'John' - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Charles John Collins on Sunday April 18, 2021 at the age 91 years.
John is now reunited with his dear wife Rose Marie Collins (nee Close), and his parents Mildred Susan Collins (nee Brown) and Joseph.
John was the cherished father of Joan and her husband Carson Beck, Charles and his wife Frances Patella and Marian and her partner Julie Luciani. He was the devoted grandfather of Roger Beck, Denise Pereira, Simone Collins, Adrienne Collins and great grandfather of Ava Pereira.
Admired brother of Kenneth Collins (predeceased), Walter Collins (predeceased) and his wife Gladys Collins (predeceased), Allan Collins (predeceased) and Jane Collins.
John will be deeply missed by his many extended and dear family members Nancy Andrews and her husband Dan Andrews, Steven Beck and his wife Sharlene Beck, Dustin, Henry, Desmond, Kassandra and Tiana and many nieces and nephews.
John met the love of his life Marie in Toronto. She was a hairstylist with her own business at 17 years of age. They were married February 3, 1951 and lived a long and happy life together for 50 wonderful years until her passing in 2001.
John grew up on his family farm in Aurora. The family followed in the footsteps of previous generations by selling produce at the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto. Later, they relocated to a farm on Islington Ave. just north of Queensway Ave. As boys, John and his brother Allan, had a large, thriving paper route and snow removal business for many years on top of the farm work. This provided for many stories shared in John’s later years.
John and Allan formed a partnership and bought a farm in Woodbridge in 1954. They were a very successful team in the vegetable growing business with Allan as the grower and John taking care of sales and employees. John was a long standing member and past president of the Toronto Fruit and Vegetables’ Growers Association and the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. He was also a member of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and a founding member and past President of the Ontario Farm Safety Association. J Collins & Sons Limited (named after John’s father Joseph) was well known in the Agribusiness community. Although the original business was especially known for green onions & radishes they also helped introduce broccoli production to Southern Ontario as well as other vegetables that caught their interest.
In 1998 John, Allan, & Allan’s son Kenneth completed a full transition of the farming business to Flamborough. Both families continue in the farming business.
John and Marie were birding enthusiasts and attended the Spring Migration at Point Pelee for well over 30 years.
John will be fondly remembered for his dry humour, close examination to details and his warm generosity and interest in those around him. He will be sadly missed by all his family, friends and all who knew him.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Woodhall Park Retirement Village and the staff for making a wonderful home for John. Thanks to Sadie Gayle for being John’s right hand person for 5 years and a solid and beloved support to him and his family.
Donations in loving memory of John made to the Friends of Point Pelee or the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated by the family and can be made using the links above.
In light of the current global pandemic with the present restrictions placed on group gatherings by the government, attendance at the funeral home has been restricted. The visitation and funeral service will be by invitation only. Arrangements and livestream funeral details for Thursday are entrusted with Scott funeral home, Brampton chapel.
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