JOHN LAURENCE COLLIS

JOHN LAURENCE COLLIS 1930 - 2012 I am bereft. It is with great sadness I, Marilyn Collis, must say goodbye to my wonderful husband, John Laurence (Larry) Collis. He was kind, thoughtful, and generous and spoiled me rotten. He and I were a team for 58 years, 4 months. I first met Larry when I was 8 and he was 11. Larry was a wonderful dad to Douglas (Susan), Gregg (Diana) and Julie (Bruce); proud grandpa to Adam (Jennifer), Sarah (Billie), Duncan, Lauren and Karen and indulgent great-grandpa to William, Chloe, Madeleine and Elise. He is survived by his nephew Blake (Irene), and niece Andrea (David). Fondly remembered by his cousins and many friends. Larry was predeceased by his parents Doris and Jack Collis and his younger sister Joan. He is survived by his sister Nancy (Frank). Larry joined Canada Permanent Trust in 1947 and finished his schooling at night school and college. He was a member of St. John's Anglican York Mills where he was very involved in Scouting, first as a Scoutmaster then as District Scoutmaster. After we were married in 1954, he was transferred to the Canada Permanent branch in Kitchener where he became the youngest branch manager in the company history. He then was transferred to the Hamilton branch and subsequently to Toronto as AVP Mortgages. He retired at 56, and having attained his appraisal certificate and real estate license, we moved to Collingwood where he joined MACKenzie and Gallinger then Royal Lepage. We joined All Saints Anglican Church back in 1987. Larry was a member of Rotary having joined in 1969. He was also on the Collingwood Library Board and organized the annual golf tournament for 5 years. The Collingwood/Katano sister city committee was a particular interest and we enjoyed hosting the Japanese visitors in our home and travelling to Japan to celebrate 5 year anniversaries. Larry loved skiing, golfing at Blue Mountain Golf, gardening, renovating and travelling around the world. Our cottage in Muskoka was his paradise and we spent as much time there as possible. In recent years we spent winters in Florida until his illness prevented us from going. Cremation has taken place and a private family celebration will be held later. Arrangements entrusted to Fawcett Funeral Home - Collingwood. Many thanks to all our family and friends for their love, prayers and support over these last difficult two years. Thank you also to Simcoe-Muskoka CCAC and St. Elizabeth's for their wonderful support, nurses and PSW's. I would also like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers at Southlake Hospital and the Stronach Cancer Centre in Newmarket. Many thanks to the staff at the Best Western Voyageur Place Hotel for making my stay as pleasant as possible while Larry was in the hospital. For those wishing to make a donation in Larry's memory, please consider your local Hospice organization; that would be greatly appreciated. Larry will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a gentleman of the old school.