DR. KENNETH JOHN COLLIER

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DR. KENNETH JOHN COLLIER November 7, 1932 - February 26, 2012 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth John (Kenn) Collier of Portage la Prairie, at the age of 79, at Portage General Hospital. His memory will be cherished by Joyce, his wife of 51 years, daughter Cathleen (Eric) of Toronto, daughter Brenda (Ross) of Halifax, son Douglas (Ronda) of Ann Arbor, Michigan and son Andrew (Carleigh) of Winnipeg. His six grandchildren, Kaitlin, Brianna, Ryan, Sydney, Donavan and Olivia, will miss him tremendously. He is survived by brother Allan (Nola), sister Margaret (Don), brother-in-law Wayne and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by sister Jean. Kenn was born to Verna Margaret and John Edward Collier at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg on November 7, 1932. His youth and early years of adulthood were spent in Winnipeg's North End. He began his higher education at United College and then continued at University of Manitoba where he graduated with his Pharmacy degree in 1956. Though he maintains he spent more time playing bridge than attending classes, he nevertheless had the honour of being named Senior Stick and class Valedictorian. It wasn't long after graduation that he met a special paddler at the Winnipeg Canoe Club, Joyce Arlene Falconer, and they were married on June 18, 1960. Kenn had a strong intellectual curiosity and desire to be of service to others, which likely led to him deciding, shortly after his marriage to Joyce, to pursue a career in Medicine. After graduation from Medical School in 1964, he and Joyce moved to Portage la Prairie where he joined Dr. Don Rae at Prairie Medical Associates, beginning a 25 year partnership. Throughout his life he was very devoted to his family, his career and his community. He enjoyed sports, both playing and watching, and was an avid curler, golfer and liniment league baseball player. Kenn was not content just playing the games, he felt compelled to give back in various ways, including serving as President of the Portage Golf Club. He particularly loved the camaraderie and fun of the Grey Owl golf tournament in Clear Lake, participating in almost all of the 51 tournaments and bringing a number of people into the fold, including his sons, sons-in-law and various friends. Kenn also devoted significant time and contributions to the town in which he lived and to his beloved medical community. He served on numerous boards, such as the board of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, including as its president. After he retired from practicing medicine in 1990, he worked for Manitoba Health in Winnipeg, ultimately as Chief Medical Officer for the Insured Benefits Branch. He then took a role closer to home in Portage as VP Medical Services at R.H.A. Central Manitoba. In 2003, after realizing that he was never as fulfilled as when he was practicing medicine, he went through the medical board recertification process and began providing local medical support to rural communities in southern Manitoba, which he continued until 2011. Kenn was the ultimate donor and rarely the recipient in life in general; one great example being his dedication to donating blood more than 100 times. There will be a Celebration of Life Service held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 14 at the M.N.P. Building on Island Park in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so desire, donations can be made in Kenn's memory to the Dr. Kenneth J. Collier Fund at the Community Foundation of Portage and District Inc., P.O. Box 1153, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3J9 (www.cfpdi.ca) or to Doctors without Borders/Médecins sans Frontières (www.msf.ca). A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel 857-4021 A message can be left in the on-line guest book at www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 03, 2012