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GEORGE COLLINS F.N. MB ChB, FRCP (C) Passed away peacefully in Ottawa, Ontario, after a long illness, on August 12, 2016 at the age of 81 years. Dearly beloved husband for 58 years of Sheila (née Cranston). Loving father of Michael (Kimberly) and John, and proud grandfather of Drew Caroline. He will be sadly missed by his brothers Bill (Vanda) and Michael (Dawn) in the U.K. Predeceased by his sister Maureen and his parents William and Ann Collins. Dear uncle to many nieces and nephews in the U.K., Trinidad, Dubai and Australia. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1957 and went on to become a Pediatric Cardiologist working in Toronto (Sick Children's Hospital) and later in Montreal (Montreal Children's Hospital). From 1983 to 1994 he was the Chairman of the Variety Children's Heart Centre in Winnipeg and prior to retirement in 2000 was Pediatric Chief at the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. George's life was devoted to the care of infants and young children with heart problems and the support of their families. In true Collins form, he enjoyed being the life of the party and was known for his pursuit of the "grape". Many thanks to the caring staff of the Westwood Retirement Home as well as Dr. Neil Rogers. A Memorial Mass will be held at Resurrection of Our Lord Church, 1940 Saunderson Drive, Ottawa at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 20 followed by a reception. In Memoriam donations to the Variety Children's Heart Centre of Winnipeg would be greatly appreciated. www.kellyfh.ca
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2016
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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Dr. Collins oversaw our daughter's heart defect care after her birth to 4 years of age. He gave me the information that I needed to advocate for her surgery in 1995. His colleague had written "her cognitive development does not warrant heart surgery". This discrimination is what lead me to demand that the her file be transferred to the Toronto Hospital for sick children. It was his clarity of notifying me that I needed to never take "no" for an answer, that gave me the conviction to insist. She is a vibrant 35 year old woman, who has battled lymphoma cancer twice, receiving a stemcell transplant in January 2024 which she not only warranted, she appears to be thriving. Dr. George Collins touched my heart, as a young frightened mother, of a child born with a rare Trisomy 14 Mosaic disorder. He saw Life and gave HOPE by smiling and applauding us when we kept coming back for her heart appointments. He not only treated her like she warranted his attention, he celebrated her heroism and saw her light beyond her struggles. Thank you Dr. Collins... 💗💖💝 - Posted by: Aline Shaw (Mother of his patient, in 1989-1994 in Winnipeg) on: Nov 08, 2024
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I was so very sad to read of the passing of Dr. Collins. Our family was extremely fortunate to have been referred to him at Winnipeg's Variety Heart Centre when our son, Carl, was born with a severe heart defect. Dr. Collins was a pillar of strength and support during one of the worst times in my life and a relentless advocate for Carl, who, thanks to the efforts of this remarkable man, received the diagnosis and treatment he needed to grow and thrive. My deepest condolences to Dr. Collins' family and friends. He was a kind, gracious and gentleman and the world is truly diminished by his loss. - Posted by: Elsa (Desender) Critchlow (Parent of a former patient) on: Aug 16, 2016