In Memory of

John

William

"Coot"

Collins

Obituary for John William "Coot" Collins

Collins, Captain Jack “Coot”

The family of Captain Jack “Coot” Collins is saddened to announce his sudden death, Saturday, September 9, 2017 on the Mississagi River while on a fishing outing with family. He was the son of the late William and Dorothy Collins of Erieau.
He is survived by wife Marcella Kenty. Also survived by brothers and sister, Albert (Evelyn) Collins, Jim (Donna, deceased) Collins, Larry (Betty Ann) Collins, Sheila (Rick, deceased) Tiedeman. Predeceased by sisters Barbara (Robert, deceased) Maynard and sister Margaret (Dick) McIlroy. Survived by children, John (Deborah) Collins, Chrissie (Peter) Laurie, Chuck (Bonnie) Collins. Predeceased by son Bill Collins.
Grandfather to Billy (Christine) Collins, Beau Collins, Amanda Collins, Faith Lauzon Collins, Rhiannon Collins, Spencer Laurie, Arden Laurie, Claire Collins and Lyle Collins. Also survived by several great, great grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews. Born and raised in Erieau, Jack was an avid outdoorsman who loved working on the water. In his younger years, he worked as a shipbuilder, a hard hat diver and welder at Erieau Shipyard. Later, he worked as a heavy equipment operator with FM Construction in Blenheim, and he then fulfilled his dream of becoming a tug boat Captain on Lake Erie working for various gas companies servicing underwater wells. Jack captained for Nadro Marine Services and finished his career on the Boblo Island Ferry. Once retired, Jack and Marcella moved to Blind River where they enjoyed hunting, fishing and the beauty and peace of northern Ontario.
He was a loyal, trusted friend to many. At Jack’s request, there will be no funeral service. Cremation has taken place. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Jack’s memory are asked to consider the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Erieau Firefighter’s Association.