Joseph Collins

JOSEPH COOPER COLLINS

With the deepest sorrow, the family wishes to announce the peaceful passing of Joseph on January 30, 2019 with his loving wife, Angie and devoted son, Greg by his side. Beloved father to Lloyd (San Diego), and grandfather to Tim (Seattle), Robert (Sacramento), Lindsay and Christopher.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, John and Minnie (Aitken) Collins, and his 11 brothers and sisters – Bobby, Eddie, Johnny, Alex, Willie, Mickey, Gordie, Effie, Joe, Marion and Normie, all of whom were born and raised on Sullivan Street in Toronto. The family ran its plumbing business starting with J. Collins Plumbing and Heating in 1922 where eventually the business changed hands to a new generation, Collins Bros. Plumbing and Heating. At the helm were Johnny, Alex and Joe, continuing the tradition of the family business serving customers which included local residents, businesses in the Chinatown area, restaurant chains like Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the Salvation Army hostels, hospital and head office until retiring in 1989.

Living an active and full life, Joe’s days were filled with memories from vacations with Angie, her Mom (the Old Boo Boo) and the boys to Florida, and as a couple to destinations in the Caribbean where he explored the turquoise waters as an exceptional swimmer and scuba diver, and to historic places in Europe visiting family and friends. In retirement, he spent many a day having lunch with Lindsay and Christopher where he could demonstrate his culinary skills in making his famous grilled cheese sandwiches served with Campbell’s vegetable soup. When Tim and Robert would visit from California, there were many happy memories spent swimming or fishing the waters of Georgian Bay at the cottage. All the grandkids enjoyed warm summer evenings at the cottage toasting marshmallows over an open fire after a rousing game of Rummoli or Uno.

The Collins family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Cummer Lodge, from Luisa to Gianna, Emebet, Sharon, Maisie, Carol, Elizabeth, Patricia, Ziggy, and Dr. Ing, to name a few, for their kindness, compassion and care of “Jo Jo” in the past five months.

His presence, sense of humour, caring and loving will be sorely missed by all in the time ahead. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Ward Funeral Home (Weston Chapel), 2035 Weston Road, Toronto, ON M9N 1X7 on Wednesday, February 6, 2019. A visitation will be held at 10:00 am followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am and a reception thereafter. A private burial will take place at 1:30 pm. Donations in Joe’s memory may made to the Salvation Army or to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.