Brian Alva Collins

October 14, 1950 - April 28, 2022

Funeral Details: A Celebration of Life will take place in the summer

Brian Alva Collins passed away on Thursday, April 28th, 2022 in his 72nd year at home with family by his side. Brian fought bravely against his cancer for two and a half years.   He was born in Renfrew, Ontario on October 14, 1950. Brian is survived by his wife Brenda, (Nee Lloyd), son Sean and daughter-in-law Shannon, daughter Sarah and son-in-law Victor, daughter Meghan and son-in-law Mike.

He adored his 7 grandchildren: John, Lily, Patri, Sloan, Abigail, Wren and Luca Khai.  Brian enjoyed a loving extended family of sister and brother in laws, nieces and nephews, and a wonderful step father-in-law, Al Sinderly. He was predeceased by his parents Alva and Minnetta Collins, and loving sister Doris Dupuis all of Cobden, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the RVH Foundation, Cancer Centre Barrie, Ontario. https://foundation.rvh.on.ca

 

CONDOLENCES

40 Condolences
  • Joanne LaChapelle
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    Another wonderful person has been taken way too soon. Brian was a gentleman and a kind loving person. My thoughts and prayers are with Brenda and the family. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. RIP Brian

  • RENEE DADSWELL
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    Not only was Brian an amazing husband, father and grandfather, he was well loved at the Barrie Curling Club. He was a true gentleman on and off the ice. He will be missed by his curling family. Our thoughts go out to Brenda and the entire family.

  • Ken Guy
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    Dear Brenda and family,
    I must admit I am in complete shock, I did not know that Brian had cancer . Please accept my deepest condolences! I have nothing but great memories of Brian as a co-worker , curling and soft ball team mate and competitor and most of all a friend ! He will be missed !!

    • Ken Guy
      Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

      This just one of many memories !

  • Andrea Michael
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    There are no words to say how sorry I am to hear about Brian’s passing.
    The last time I saw Brian, he was out for a walk and we had a little catch up.
    Prayers and blessings to you Brenda, in loosing your best friend. To Sean, Meghan and Sarah, you had the best dad. May all your memories and love continue to be shared and held in your hearts.

  • William Fenwick
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    Brenda Please accept my sincere condolences on Brian’s passing. Bonnie passed away in February 2020 You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely Bill

  • Brenda A Webb
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    Brenda, my condolences to you and your family. I worked with Brian at Georgian College in Barrie. He was a wonderful gentleman who showed much kindness and always had a cheerful greeting. His sense of humour and dedication to his work were appreciated by many. May love and comfort surround you at this sad time.

  • Suzanne Kinnear
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    Brenda and family,

    Please accept my deepest condolences. Brian was the best boss I ever had. He was such a gentleman! We kept in touch and I knew his cancer was going to win this race. Nothing will lessen the pain you are all feeling but may his memories and stories lessen your heartache. He is now free!! I will always remember Brian, not as my boss, but my friend. Hugs to all.

    Sue

  • Jack Brown
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    I have the honor of knowing Brian as a colleague during our time at Georgian College. His quiet demeanor and gentle ways made him a very easy person to like and respect. He will be missed by many. RIP Brian.

  • Gary Sandercock
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    I had the pleasure of having Brian in my life for the majority of my childhood, through sports and turning into family friends. You couldn’t ask for a better role model in your life, Brian through example taught myself and I’m positive many others, how to care for a family, have a loving relationship, how to show respect and humility and all around how to be a great person. I always looked forward to any time I could spend with Brian and family and he will be dearly missed.

  • Steve and Kathleen Marion
    Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2022 Reply

    Brenda, Please accept our condolences on Brian’s passing. Brian always had time for a hello . From encountering Brian coaching softball about 30 years ago , to curling against him and seeing him at the golf course his love of sport and being active shone through. May he enjoy a 400 hundred drive and many draws to the button in heaven. Hugs to you and family!

    Steve and Kathleen

  • Ron Chmara & Fran O’Leary
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    Brenda and family we are so sorry for your loss.
    The first time we met Brian in Sudbury in 1978 we new he was one of a kind.
    It was as if we were reunited with a friend we’d had forever.
    We have great memories of office parties, home parties and of course all the fun we had trying to hunt partridge and moose over the years.
    This one of a kind man will be missed.
    God bless

  • Sherry McAlpine
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful family, Brenda. Brian was a dedicated family man and a loyal friend. Curling was our shared passion, and I have the best memories of being his teammate. He was competitive, fun and always a gentleman.
    Gone too soon, may he rest in peace.

  • Barbie Lloyd
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    So many super memories and fun times! You were the BEST brother-in law!
    Your spirit, strength and determination in fighting cancer was extraordinary!
    Forever in Our Hearts

  • Marilou Mason
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    Brenda, my heart goes out to you and your family on the passing of Brian. May all the wonderful memories you have had with Brian carry you through this very sad and difficult time.

  • Tim White
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    Most sincere condolences to Brian’s family & friends.
    Many years ago I worked with Brian at Georgian College. His kind & friendly personality along with his professionalism is unforgettable all these many years later.
    So sorry for your loss.

  • Bill and Val Babensee
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    Bill an I were saddened to hear of Brian’s passing. He was truly a gentleman and it was an honour to know him as a friend. His love for his family was undeniable. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Brenda and your family, he will be missed.

  • Ryan & Victoria L’Abbe
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    Our deepest condolences to you and the family Brenda. Brian was a gem of a man, always cheerful and a pleasure to be around on and off of the curling ice. He and Ryan always shared their love of the “Sens” (through thick and thin). He will be missed very much.

  • Leslie Penfold
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    I work at Bear Creek Golf Club, and when I started there, Brian was one of the first members I met. He made me welcome, and made me smile each time I saw him. He always had a way of brightening my day. He was such a true gentleman, always had a kind word, and never once did I hear a complaint. He will be truly missed by the Bear Creek Family. Farewell, my friend… may you forever rest in peace.

    My thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Collins and family… please accept my deepest sympathies during this difficult time.

  • Don Campbell & Jo Anne Stewart
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    Brian was one of those rare people who you loved to share time with. His sense of humor and sharp wit never failed to bring a smile to those around him. I’m glad I have memories of Brian to hold on to because they’re special. We send our heart felt sympathy to you and your family, Brenda. Brian is resting in the arms of the angels.

  • Andrea Foerster-Davis
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    Brenda and family,

    Keith and I are so very sorry for your loss. Words cannot describe how much Brian will be missed by all who knew him. Keith and I always enjoyed our chats when we walked the dog and met up with Brian. He was truly a gentleman and our hearts go out to you and your family. “Remember, I will still be here as long as you hold me, in your memory. Remember, when your dreams have ended, time can be transcended. Just remember me. I’m with you whenever you tell my story for who I was, and all I’ve done. I am the one voice in the cold wind, that whispers and if you listen, you’ll hear me call across the sky. Remember, I’ll never leave you if you will only remember me. Remember, I will still be here as long as you hold me, in your memory”. RIP Brian, we will all remember you.

    Andrea, Keith, Timothy and Keira Davis

  • Bill Dawson
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    It is with sincere sadness that I learned of Brian’s passing. Our friendship was through the Barrie Curling Club and I can only say that Brian was competitive and a true gentleman. We always seemed to come up against each other in competitive situations and he always got the better of me. His entire family should be proud of how Brian was respected and my heartfelt simpathies go out to Brenda who was the love of his life. He will certainly be missed.

  • John and Anna Scott
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    Dearest Brenda and family
    Our sincere condolences. It is hard to believe that someone so young and full of life has been taken so soon.
    Fond memories will keep him in your heart forever.
    Hugs to you all…

  • Andrew Cook
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Reply

    So many wonderful memories of Brian and the Collins family. Brian was very involved in minor hockey and minor baseball in Barrie and I fondly remember travelling to baseball tournaments with Brian, Sean, and my father for many summers. He was kind and supportive towards all the “kids” on Noam Drive and he will be missed.

  • Doug Kops
    Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Reply

    I am so glad that I had the opportunity to know Brain – he was a very good person. A life well lived that will be remembered.

  • Mark Gatenby
    Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Reply

    It is with the deepest of sadness learning the news that Brian has passed away. Brian was well liked and respected at Georgian College. We spent many early mornings walking together to get coffee at the college cafeteria. Brian always brought a smile to my face. His humour, professionalism and positive attitude will be missed. His dedication and love of his family was always apparent in our conversations. Please accept my sincere condolences to all the family members during this very difficult time.

  • Laurie and Sandi Caldwell
    Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Reply

    Dear Brenda and family,
    Our deepest condolences on learning of Brian’s passing.
    Most of our memories revolve around the softball field, many good times shared and we always appreciated being around Brian’s giving and generous approach to life.
    He will be deeply missed.

  • Melinda Williams
    Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Reply

    Dear Brenda and family, I am so sad to hear of Brian passing away. He was so loved in our office at Georgian College. He was such a gentleman and hard worker but more than that, he was a great funny friend who could pull off amazing jokes. I always felt bad that he had to rein Monika and Ronnie under control (not an easy job). I would try to help him haha. Brian loved his wife and family so much and over the years we felt like we knew them well. The world has lost an amazing, caring man. I am so sorry ❤️🙏

  • Tara Mills and Lorraine Earl
    Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Reply

    I spent a lot of time at the Collins house on Noam Drive. For a few summers I babysat Sean and the twins. We spent the days playing Nintendo, running in the sprinkler, making bracelets to sell from the garage, and taking the city bus to the mall or the beach. It wasn’t always easy. Brian often came home for lunch and I remember one day he pulled up in the driveway and I was standing on the front step. “Where are the girls?” he asked. I swallowed hard and told him they’d run away. He smiled, shrugged his shoulders, and said we should give them a minute to rough it on the mean streets of Heather and Lillian Drive. He took me inside and we ate sandwiches together and sure enough, the girls came through the side door just in time for a handful of the chips Brenda kept on a high shelf beside the pantry. Brian was always calm and kind. I remember him fondly, first as the dad across the street when I was little, and then as the man who gave me both the trust and confidence I needed to take care of his kiddos and the gift of seeing how good a dad could be.

  • Dave Brann
    Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Reply

    My thoughts and prayers are with Brenda and family. Brian was a great manager and coach. He was the kind of boss that knew our wives and kids. Brian was so sports oriented. He ran our crew at Bell like a team, I always felt that we were part of HIS team. His friendship continued long after we all retired through golf and hockey pools. Brian will be missed.
    Dave Brann

  • Dave Brann
    Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Reply

    Sportsmanship award men’s golf league at Bear Creek.

  • Al and Cathy Elliott
    Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Reply

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you Brenda and family🙏🏻

  • Karen Woods
    Posted on: Thursday, May 5, 2022 Reply

    Brenda and family,
    I am saddened to hear of Brian’s passing. Know that he made an impact on so many people with his funny jokes and stories and his kind soul. I loved hearing him speak of his time at Bell Canada working with my Uncle John Pugsley and then I was lucky enough to work with Brian at Georgian College. Brian always spoke so highly of his family and it was so abundantly clear how much he loved you all. RIP my friend.

  • Tami delCarmen
    Posted on: Friday, May 6, 2022 Reply

    My most heartfelt condolences to the Collins family. Brian was an incredible and valued coworker, always ready to help and quick with a joke or story. I will treasure the many morning ‘conferences’ over coffee. He was however, much more than a coworker to many of us … a friend and a substitute father offering words of wisdom in his kind and gentle way.

  • Jacqueline Huggard
    Posted on: Friday, May 6, 2022 Reply

    I was deeply saddened to hear of Brian’s passing. I will always treasure our early morning chats at Georgian. I feel like I knew his wife, daughters, son, and grandkids. He always had a story or a good joke to share and he couldn’t wait to show off his grandchildren with pictures he had printed. Brian was not just a co-worker, he was an amazing friend and gave great advice and was always willing to listen. I loved hearing about his curling stories, and family events.
    To Brenda and family, my sincere condolences. Please know that he loved you all so much as it was evident in our conversations. Brian will be missed dearly by all of his colleagues at Georgian. I will never forget him as long as I live. Rest in peace my friend.

  • Francis Peeters
    Posted on: Saturday, May 7, 2022 Reply

    Loved curling with and against Brian. He was wonderful person on and off the ice. Our condolences to his family.

  • Sandra Quail
    Posted on: Saturday, May 7, 2022 Reply

    Dear Brenda and family. I am saddened to hear about your loss of dear Brian. I had the privilege and honour to work with Brian at Georgian college and those were the most amazing years that I will forever cherish. Brian was a gentle soul who had an amazing sense of humour and the biggest heart of anyone I knew. He made people laugh, was there to console and made every person he interacted with feel special. He was the most positive person I knew and later on he spoke of his kids and grandkids with such love and pride. Brian has touched the Lives of so many people and his legacy is the wonderful family and cherished memories he leaves behind. Peace perfect peace for this great man.

  • Marjorie Cook
    Posted on: Monday, May 9, 2022 Reply

    My heart was so very saddened to hear of Brian’s passing. Only the day before hearing this sad news, I had commented to my husband that I wanted to give Brian a call to catch up as it had been a bit of time.

    Brian was truly one of the kindest men I’ve ever had the opportunity to know. We had been fortunate to work together for a few years, and I always enjoyed the time we spent together. My heart goes to all of you; a part of your heart went with him, but thankfully the memories will be with you forever.

    Gone too soon, certainly. You will be missed greatly Brian.

  • Tom Olhiser
    Posted on: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Reply

    Brian was a dear friend. I miss him every day. The world was a better place with him in it.

  • Vince & Jenny Lou Santoro
    Posted on: Wednesday, June 29, 2022 Reply

    Dear Brenda, We just heard of Brian’s passing. You and Brian were truly a love match. We often noticed how kind and lovingly you behaved toward each other. He was a wonderful man, husband, father. I’m smiling now recalling the two of you getting an overnight babysitter when the twins were very young so you could go to a hotel and sleep. I can see him talking gently to Sean, about 2 or 3 years old, at a restaurant, explaining he had to sit quietly in his seat. Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

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