James Frederick Collins passed peacefully early in the morning of March 26, 2020, after a long battle with dementia at the age of 91.

Fred, as he was known, was born in St. Thomas, Ontario to Mark Clayton Collins and Emma Collins (nee McKenzie). Married to Evelyn Mary McCoy on July 1st,1955. He was a teacher for 35 years, beginning outside of Wallaceburg, Ont., and thereafter in London, Guelph, Blenheim, and Mimico High School, in Toronto. Fred had also been a district President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. Over the years he taught math, English, history, physical education, guidance, sciences, Latin and geography. At the end of his career, he taught his favourite subject, art. Fred was both deeply respected and admired by his students.

Loving brother of Rosemary (Donald McArthur) and Peggy (Ken Dodman), father of Marianne, Lynn-Marie (Michael Mehling), Michael (Kay Chaston), Richard (Marisa Sicat) and David (Virginia) and adoring grandfather to Jordan, Mitchell, Corina, Christopher, Kenneth, Matthew and Alex, and great-grandfather to Ronan Avery Crowe. Fred was predeceased by his older brother George (Beverly Branch), older sister Mary Jean (Douglas Schleihauf), and younger brother Don (Marion Calvert).

Art was Fred’s life calling, having inherited the gift from his father Clayton Collins. He extended his love of fine art by teaching art in his final years at Mimico High School and subsequently at the Neilson Park Community Centre (Etobicoke) for many years. Following retirement he and Evelyn travelled much of Europe, the Middle East and both coasts of North America, painting as he went. His favourite medium was watercolour, in a “realist impressionism” style, and displayed his paintings at several galleries over the years. He was a member of the Vodka Painters of Canada – arguably to keep the watercolours from freezing during wintertime excursions.

He played competitive bridge with friends and was also skilled in furniture-making, gardening, wood carving, fishing, cliff diving, golfing, and was an excellent swimmer – having spent long summer evenings in his youth at Pinafore Pond in St. Thomas. Fred was also an all-around athlete, having been a running back for the University of Western Ontario Mustangs football team, and an accomplished gymnast. He taught gymnastics at the high school and coached high school basketball, hockey and track and field.

Professionally, Fred had finished a year at Western University when he received his first teaching session in Talbotville, Ontario where he taught grades two to nine in a one-room schoolhouse. Later, while teaching and coaching at London Normal School he took the basketball team to Guelph for a tournament and was offered a job there teaching English, math, history, physical education, guidance, science, and Latin. The school, Notre Dame, was under construction and so classes and sports activities were convened at nearby Loretto Academy (where Evelyn had recently gone to school). It was only later at a Parish baseball match that Fred met the manager of the baseball team – Raymond McCoy, older brother to Evelyn. Fred and Evelyn were engaged at Christmas and married in July the following summer. In 1957 Fred accepted a teaching position in Blenheim for several years and subsequently finished the teacher’s college in Toronto. By 1963, Mimico High School in New Toronto offered Fred a job and he returned to his boyhood roots to teach in New Toronto, and to live in Etobicoke. He taught there until retirement in 1986.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Turner & Porter Neweduk Chapel. A private burial will take place in Etobicoke.

Due to the pandemic, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. If you wish to be notified of future arrangements please sign the online memorial book.

For those who wish, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.

The family welcomes you to share stories, memories, and leave an online condolence.