GERALD COLLINS

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GERALD COLLINS 1935 - 2017 Correction in Date of Service On Friday, May 5, 2017 Gerald passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side In celebration of Gerald's life a service will be held at St. Philips Anglican Church, 240 Tache Ave. on Wednesday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m. A reception will follow. Handicapped parking is available off the lane.
Publish Date: May 9, 2017

GERALD COLLINS 1935 - 2017 On Friday, May 5, 2017 Gerald passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Margaret; daughter Cathy and son-in-law Napoleon; son Gord and daughter-in-law Nancy; daughter Sharon and son-in-law Emil; grandchildren, Steven (Jaylene), Rachel, Amanda, Cody (Elsa), Kyle, Jennifer, and Chantal and great-grandson Sawyer. Gerald was predeceased by his parents, Hazel and Harry Collins, his twin brother Keith and his grandson Max. After celebrating his 82nd birthday with friends and family, Gerry's remaining time was spent at home as friends and family called with messages of love, appreciation and happy memories shared. Dad listened as we laughed and remembered family trips taken over the decades and favourite traditions. Gerry listened to favorites by Dean Martin, Bing Crosby and other class acts of days gone by. We gathered close to Dad to listen to recordings of his choir at St. Philip's Church, which he played for, conducted and sang with, from 1957 to 2000. Gerry's love of music was nourished by his parents as he grew up playing and singing with Keith, at home on Dominion Street and at All Saints Church. As boys, summers were spent with family at Winnipeg Beach and Ponema and as campers and counselors at the Anglican Church Camp in the Lac du Bonnet Area. Together the brothers graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate in 1952 and from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba in 1958. It was only natural that Margaret and Gerald would meet through their love of music. As a fifteen year old musical savant, Gerry was asked to become the new organist at St. Jude's Church. Margaret sang in the choir and their relationship blossomed over skating, tobogganing parties and picnics. They married in 1957, bought their first home on Golden Gate Bay in St. James and began their family. They took their children camping at Falcon Lake and Clear Lake and on many trips across North America in their trailer. In 1972 they bought what became the family cottage at Grand Marais for more than forty years. Great fun was had at the beach, playing games in the cabin and having campfires. It became a favorite place for the grandchildren as well. Marg and Gerry continued to travel as a couple and with friends: destinations included Florida, England, Scotland, Ireland, Alaska and Hawaii. At the age of 75, they flew halfway around the world to Abu Dhabi and Dubai to visit their daughters and their families. Gerry spent his career as a Chartered Accountant at Revenue Canada, including supervising the Special Investigations Unit. He was a Past Master of Northern Lights Masonic Lodge and a member of Khartum Shriners. His family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Deer Lodge PRIME and the Home Care workers who were his caregivers but also became his friends. The people whose first instinct is to smile when you make eye contact with them are some of Earth's greatest treasures. "See you tomorrow, Gerry." In celebration of Gerald's life a service will be held at St. Philips Anglican Church, 240 Tache Ave. on Wednesday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m. A reception will follow. Handicapped parking is available off the lane. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the M.S. Society of Manitoba. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 204-885-9715

Publish Date: May 8, 2017

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 09, 2017