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JOHN K COLLINS
Born: May 08, 1941
Date of Passing: Mar 28, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOHN K COLLINS
It is with great sorrow that I announce the death of my beloved husband, soul mate and friend John K Collins. John died peacefully, with me by his side, on March 28 at the Grace Hospice after a ten month struggle with stage four colon cancer.
He was born and educated in Cork, Ireland and graduated from University College Cork in 1963.
After university he worked for a year in the public relations department of the Irish Sugar Company before embarking on a career in education.
John taught for over two years in a Teacher Training College in Nigeria but had to leave when the Biafran War broke out.
He taught English in Stoughton High School in Saskatchewan and Bossevain Collegiate in Manitoba and was head of the English Department in the Major Pratt School in Russell Manitoba where many lasting friendships started.
John was a strong advocate for Public Education and public school teachers and like H.G. Wells believed that, “Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe." He believed firmly in social justice for all.
In 1977 he was hired by The Manitoba Teachers' Societies as a Staff Officer in the Teacher Welfare Department. He worked there for 23 years and was respected for his integrity and commitment to the teachers he served. Many of the colleagues he worked with there became lifelong friends and were a great support to John and myself throughout his illness and continue to be a great support to me today.
John and I met in Regina in 1968 and were married there in 1970. We had a wonderful 54 year marriage as equal partners and kindred spirits. We both shared a love of travel and were fortunate enough to be able to see a lot of the world and most of Canada. Trips to go sailing on Lake Diefenbaker with the Nelson family and sitting around the Leibl's campfire at Clear Lake, solving the problems of the world, will always be treasured summer memories.
Together we supported the Arts in Winnipeg and enjoyed the Ballet, the Opera, the Symphony, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Prairie Theatre Exchange and the Fringe Festival.
For a short time, John served on the Board of Prairie Fire Magazine and Prairie Theatre Exchange and for several years he was on the Board of Referees for Employment Insurance.
John enjoyed a good discussion on a variety of topics and at parties and other gatherings with friends the conversation often got quite lively, especially if libations were present.
He was an avid reader of books on history, politics, poetry and philosophy as well as well written spy and mystery novels. For many years he wrote book reviews for the Winnipeg Free Press, his last one being in November of 2024. His intelligence and wit showed through in those reviews. He had a great sense of humour which was evident right to the end.
John was predeceased by his parents John and Eleanor Collins and his uncle Kyrle Cahill. He is survived by his wife Agnes and cousins Kay and Mary Cahill in Ireland.
Thanks to all our wonderful caring, compassionate and supportive friends and my thoughtful "sisters" for the meals, cards, phone calls, visits and rides to CancerCare and for the love you showed us. Visits to John in the hospital and in the hospice really brought him joy and lifted his spirits. Thanks also to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Buhler CancerCare Centre and a very, very special thanks to the nurses, heath care aides, doctors and staff at the Grace Hospice for their patience, care, kindness and compassion during the five weeks John spent there.
In lieu of flowers, if you so desire, donate to the Grace Hospice, CancerCare Manitoba, The Scholarship Trust Fund of the University Women's Club or a charity of your choice.
A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 19, 2025
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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The loss of John is a loss for so many of us, most of all Agnes. John and Agnes were part of my life with Tom (Paci) the whole time we were married. Listening to John tell stories brought us great joy and I would not be able to calculate how many times Tom referred to "Collins always says," in many contexts. The story I remember most is the "black lettuce story." When I think of the power of unions I think of many of the things I heard John say over the years. He epitomized grace and kindness, always showing that glint in his eye. Most of all, I loved the connection between John and Agnes...all they had to do was look at each other. - Posted by: Denise Gorsline (friend) on: Apr 26, 2025
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I would like to offer my condolences to John's family. I really enjoyed having John as a member of our Board. I appreciated his wisdom, wit and problem solving skills. It was a pleasure having known him during short my term as Chair. - Posted by: Gerald Fontaine (Former Chair, Board of Referees- Service Canada) on: Apr 26, 2025
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John will always be remembered as a gentleman with a wry Irish wit. As a colleague at MTS, I was proud to call him my mentor. He was a fierce advocate for public education and teachers. He maintained high ethical standards, demonstrated trustworthiness, and valued and practiced integrity above all. In social settings he was the life of the party and we will always remember the glint in his eyes as he mesmerized friends with witty, interesting and incredible stories. He will be sorely missed. - Posted by: Bobbi and Paul Taillefer (Dear friends) on: Apr 25, 2025
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Hello Agnes: As you know I won't be able to attend John's celebration of life on Saturday but Bev will be there to bring our collective thoughts and condolences to you. I do hope that the day will not be too sad for you. John would appreciate a joyous celebration full of good stories, a few political musing, much humor and a beverage or two. Take care and we'll see you in August. - Posted by: Brian Woods (Friend) on: Apr 23, 2025
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Agnes, we send our condolences regarding the loss of your husband John. We hold you in high regard. - Posted by: Paula, Kelly, Jillian Burdey (Acquaintances) on: Apr 21, 2025
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Agnes, we send our deepest condolences on your great loss. We are sorry not to be able to be with you to celebrate his life, one well worth celebrating. We both greatly enjoyed working with John and admired his deep commitment to service to teachers and to education. We also enjoyed our discussions with him as we were mostly on the same wavelength, but also enjoyed when we were not as our interactions were always respectful. We are currently travelling in Spain but will raise a glass in his honour next Saturday. - Posted by: Tom Ulrich and Mariette Ferré (Friends and colleagues) on: Apr 20, 2025
