Obituary of William Francis Collins

William F. Collins; October 18, 1932 – April 4, 2025. Dad passed peacefully away at his home surrounded by his loving family and devoted caregivers. Predeceased by his cherished wife Loretta, darling daughter Perpetua, son-in-law Paul Allen, parents Reginald and Mary Collins, siblings Mollie, Edward, Noella, Margaret, Mary, Sandy, Alice (Chris Cooper), Autie (Vera), Adelaide (Lowell Frasier), Joe (Pat), Reggie (Chrissie) and Eugene (Anne). In-laws Joseph & Elsie Greene, Cecil (Mary), Joe (Mary & Gladys), Mary (Bill Norman), Elsie (Art O’Keefe), Rita (Bob Crowell), Frank, Sylvia (Paul Kelly), Pete Mullins and Tom Griffiths. Leaving to mourn his passing are his children, Sandy (Rick), Cindy (Leonard), Lorne (Annie), Wanda (Ed), Owen (Shirley), Tammy (Ron), Janine (Frank) and Mandy (Mike); grandchildren Paul (Heather), Leslie (Vik), Michael, Robin (Peter), Billy, William (Jade), Adam (Melissa), Evan (Keisha), Liam (Madi), Kaitlin, Mollie (Robert), Kelsey, Brady (Lauren), Keegan, Ethan (Shannon), Ali, Chaya and Miriam and his darling great-grandchildren, Lilly (Daniel), Alex, Joseph, Kabir, Aiden, Kyle, Drew, Landon, Nash, Caroline, Hunter, Zane, Paisley, Gage, Lorne, Hazel and Wren. His siblings, Raymond (Tish) and Rosie Mullins; in-laws, Theresa Collins, Pius (Yvonne) Greene and Marion Griffiths, as well as many extended family members including Stephen Sisk, Ronnie (Ryan Keough) and his special buddy Nathan Batten. William Francis Joseph Collins was born 18 October 1932, the middle child of 15 of Reginald and Mary Collins (Hopkins). Like most young boys, he enjoyed sports, especially softball, and is a lifelong Chicago fan, everything from the Cubs and White Sox to the Blackhawks, Bulls, and Bears. His love for Chicago came from listening to games on the radio with his great Uncle Leo Browne, who worked in Chicago. In May 1950, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy, serving on several ships and became an Aviation Electrician working on aircraft aboard HMCS Magnificent. He spent that time travelling the world. We all remember playing with some of his souvenirs. When he came home, he said he had travelled enough, and it was a very long time before he left NL again. He was back into softball as soon as he returned and spent years playing, coaching, officiating, organizing, along with many of his peers, especially Gus Mooney. He was approached by Dr William P. Collingwood, President of the newly formed Royal Canadian Legion Branch 33 to start a Cadet Corps in Placentia and were looking for a young ex-service man to take over. Dad was hesitant because “what would a sailor know about army training.” He finally agreed and along with John Whelan, 2558 RCACC Placentia was stood up November 1955 and is still going 70 years later. He is a lifetime member of the Star of the Sea and member and former president of the Legion. He was home a few months when he met and started dating Loretta Marie Greene from Harbour Island, Placentia Bay, the young housekeeper for the Parish Priest Father Hunt and his elderly mother. Sometimes they double dated with friends Ray and Gwen Whittle, who were Best Man and Maid of Honour at their wedding September 15, 1956. After living at the Priest’s house for a couple of months, they eventually moved into the unoccupied side of 26/28 Jubilee Road alongside Nanny and Poppy Collins. Next came the family. Eight children in 15 years, with the first six in six years, all in the smaller side of the house. With the passing of his parents in 71 and 72, he opened up both sides of the house and finally had a little breathing room. Dad’s free time became time to take on extra work, he spent most evenings after work and on Saturday fixing or wiring whatever was required. But there was always time for a Sunday drive, picnic at Gooseberry Cove, Glen’s Cove, or a trip out to the end of Southeast, where he would buy us a soft serve ice cream at Millers or bring us out chips, a bar or drink, while he would stop in for a “chat” with a couple of his buddies at the Skyline. He started as an electrician with the contractors on the US Naval Base in Argentia in 55 and shortly after with the Navy’s Public Works Department in the Electric Shop. For years he was also the go to guy for electric work from appliance repair to whole home wiring jobs for many of the locals. When the Naval Base “phased down” he was laid off in 1971 and spent a few months in Churchill Falls. He spent the next couple of years working for his brothers’ construction company wiring schools, the Royal Bank and Christian Brother’s residence in Placentia. In 74 he started with the Pyramid Mobile Homes in Argentia as electrical foreman before an opportunity to return to work for the US Navy at his old job in 75. He continued for the public works department until his retirement in 1993. After retirement, they travelled a little to see family and attend his Navy reunions. They also bought a Cabin in Spreadeagle, Trinity Bay. It was enjoyable spending quiet time there, next door to Mary and Bill, Mom’s sister and her husband. They loved when the grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren came to call and there was always lots of love to go around. All good things come to an end and as Mom’s health deteriorated, they began to spend more time at home with Dad eventually reluctant to leave her for more than an hour. He lost our darling sister Perpetua in 2017 and Mom in 2021, which was very hard on him. But he still had a huge smile when family and friends came to visit, especially the littlest. In his last few years, he never spent a moment alone, we hope we did him proud. It's very hard to put 92 years in a couple of lines, but he certainly lived life to the fullest. At this time, we would like to thank his devoted caregivers, Mary Flood, Joanne Ryan and Joan Follett Sandall. You cared for him as if he were your own father and he loved each of you dearly. To our cousin, Noella Collins, there are no words for the care and support you provided to dad, especially during his final weeks. To Dr. Anthony and Judy Rockel, and Darlene Neville, NP thank you doesn’t seem enough for everything you have done for dad. To the staff of the Placentia Health Centre, Power’s Ambulance and NL Health Ambulance Services, thank you for everything. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Coombs Funeral Home, Placentia. Visitation on Sunday, April 6th, 2025 from 7-9 p.m.; Monday, April 7th, from 2-9 p.m. Funeral Service to take place on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in Coombs Memorial Chapel. Flowers gratefully accepted or donations in his memory can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 33 Placentia Poppy Fund. “Acer Acerpori…as the Maple, so the Sapling.” Live Streaming will be available of the Funeral Service on Tuesday, April 8th. A link will be provided later.