Juan Gardu o COLLAS

COLLAS, Juan Gardu o

Juan G. Collas of Hillsborough, CA and Glastonbury, passed away peacefully on March 19th in Millbrae. He was 80 years old. Known as "Johnny" to close friends and family, he was born April 25, 1932 in Manila, Philippines. He graduated University of the Philippines Law School, 1955, and then joined the law firm of SyCip, Salazar & Associates. In 1958 he received a LLM (Master of Law) degree from Yale Law School followed by a JSD (Doctorate of Law) in 1959. His first year at Yale, he and Maria Lucinda Moreira of Glastonbury met. They married in 1959. Juan joined the legal staff of the Hartford Railroad. In 1960, Juan joined the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie that then sent him as a partner in 1963 to open an office in Manila. Juan opened a second office in 1970; this was in San Francisco. He retired in 2003. His professional accomplishments were perhaps surpassed by his sense of humor and wit as well as for his elegant tango. An iconic character, Juan appreciated fine food, good wine, an occasional cigar, and the game of golf. His was a long and storied life. He is survived by Maria Lucinda, his wife of 53 years, his four children: Juan and wife, Susan of Glastonbury; Elias and wife Jeanne of Savannah; Cristina and husband Dale of Cheshire; and Daniel of New York. A devoted, joyful grandfather, Juan is survived by eight grandchildren: Jacquelyn and Johnny Collas; Joseph, Victoria and Matthew Collas; Moreira, Isabella and Lucinda Salsman. Juan is also survived by five loving sisters : Anisia Celis of Sun City West, AZ; Angie and Bruce Dean of Eugene, OR; Regina Collas of Manila; Diana Collas of Arlington, VA ; Solita and Christian Monsod of Manila, Philippines.
A memorial: Thursday, April 25th from 6-8 p.m. at The Hartford Club, 46 Prospect St., Hartford.