Michael Joseph Collins

1942 - 2021

Michael Joseph Collins obituary, 1942-2021, Chula Vista, CA

Michael Collins Memoriam

In memory of Michael Joseph Collins.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jan. 21, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Collins

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44 Entries

I was a failing student and foster child when I entered his class room. Somehow he made me believe in myself, and I became an A student. This man never realized how much he touched my life. Rest In Peace, and may your family and friends find comfort that you are still with them in spirit.

Kim

Student

February 17, 2021

I would like to offer my condolences to Janet and the Collins family. My sweet wife also died recently of Lewy Body Dementia at age 78, and I know the deep pain it induces.

Bill Hubona

Neighbor

February 9, 2021

Best coach ever. He was open to me being in team sports the only girl and cheerleader. He was a was my history teacher. Great at all he did coach and teach. He will be missed and remembered!

Empress Butler

Student

January 30, 2021

Great man he was like a second father to me in High School...

Christian Alva

Student

January 28, 2021

One best person I been around. He great caoch and want the best for his players. But even better man.

Nicholas Sherar

Student

January 26, 2021

I’m so sad to hear about Mike’s passing. Great friend to my mom, Phyllis Shepherd (CVHS secretary) and our family.

Cheryl Delaney

Friend

January 25, 2021

Wow the memories come back fast.. August of '74, tried out for JV Football before starting classes... Went through Mr. Collins tough drills, ( I was scared of Mr. Collins) and after Hell Week, Jim Wilson asked him who his center was... Slowly HE said Gurley (5'8', 150 pounds.. Put me on defense as well. He gave me a lot of respect then due to the hard work and it made a big part of me of who I am today! His stern, focused appearance was always there, but underneath there was a True Gentleman that cared so much for how all of us performed in class and sports. I was lucky enough to play with a great basketball team under his tutelage and we all excelled with him in the lead and he was a big part of how all of us loved to go to CVHS. A true tough caring man that made us excel and all the students he touched. God Bless Him and his family!

Kevin Gurley

Student

January 25, 2021

Dear Janet,
Coach was so fun when in class I really enjoyed having you both there . I was super happy that you came alone after coach could no longer attend. I will try and let the others in class know. You were a very popular couple kind and great sense of humor. My condolences are deeply felt,

Lisa Fowler
Group exercise instructor

Lisa Fowler

Teacher

January 25, 2021

John schleh

January 25, 2021

Mr.Collins you will be missed. I still remember my time as your student in AP history in cvhs. You made the class one to enjoy by challenging us to share our thoughts and reflect on the historical dates through time. Your class was not ordinary and neither were you. Kids experience and education was one of quality and impact because of your passion to teach. My condolences to your family.

Maribel Calderon

Student

January 25, 2021

There are so many memories that I hold dear having been a student manager of the varsity team while at CVHS, as well as a student of American History with Coach Collins. He was quick witted, funny at times and serious when it mattered. He had a way of making you self reflect on not only who you are but on who you wanted to become. I spent time at tournaments, games, banquets and in the classroom with Coach. There were only a few great teachers I had, and I am proud to say he was one of them. With a heart of gold he made everyone feel welcomed and made us all feel like a family. May his memories live on, not only as one of the greatest coaches in San Diego County, but as the great man that he was. Rest in Peace Coach!

Rachel Signor

Student

January 25, 2021

Thank you for your many years of encouragement to thousands, Coach Collins. You imparted your wisdom, expertise and positivity to us all with such care and kindness. I’ll always remember your soothing voice and warm spirit. You will be missed. Rest In Peace and Power, Legend! Blessings to your whole family. With love and respect, Francine Maigue, CVHS, Class of 1998, APUSH

Francine Maigue

Student

January 25, 2021

Coach Collins you were one of my favorite teachers a very patient and wonderful teacher to us all..you were loved by all who had the privilege of having you as a teacher or coach. Rest in Peace Coach Collins

Cynthia Marie Gonzales

Student

January 24, 2021

I was fortunate to be both a student in Coach Collins' AP US History Class and a player on one of his teams. I wasn’t the best player or student, but coach always pushed me to be the best that I could with my talents. I later became a teacher and a basketball coach. I sought his advice many times over during a round of golf and he never was short of stories or coaching tips. I was blessed to have him as a coach, teacher and mentor. He had a tremendous impact on my life. He will be missed, but his legacy will endure in the thousands of students he taught and coached.

Ricardo Cooke - Class of 1991

Student

January 24, 2021

Coach Collins was a great man and mentor to all. He will be missed and is loved by many.

Andy Aguilar

Student

January 24, 2021

Thank you for the memories

Ricky Ledesma

Student

January 24, 2021

A role model and mentor to hundreds of students, a teacher/coach who touched our lives in a way no one else could. In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. My sincere condolences to the Collins Family.

Karyn Slade (CVHS-ASB)

Coworker

January 24, 2021

Thanks Coach for all you have done for our SPARTANS

ROBERT QUINONES

Student

January 24, 2021

As Mike’s brother-in-law I have known Mike since he courted my sister, Janet in the ‘60’s. We don’t live close, so we mainly saw Mike at holidays and family gatherings. Mike was just a fun guy to be around, always willing to participate in whatever was going on. I was impressed how he stayed connected to some of his students as a friend and mentor, and how he tried to help and guide them as adults. Prior students often seemed to look him up years after they had graduated. Mike always had a good couching story to tell. We will miss Mike, but be comforted in our fond memories of him.

Gary and Cheryl Jensen

January 24, 2021

Thank you Mr. Collins for being my AP U.S. History teacher (c/o 1993). I was always in awe by your level of knowledge about history, and life in general. But it was you as a person that impressed me most. No one was more respectful, professional, and a true example of a gentleman. Even when you changed hats and became Coach Collins, I was always honored to have you represent our school with Spartan Pride.

Cristina Counts

Student

January 24, 2021

What a dear man. I admired him a lot and am grateful for the amazing daughter he gave to our family.

Susan Betten

Family

January 24, 2021

Coach Collins was my JV football and JV basketball coach, and for two years my varsity basketball coach. He was also one of my teachers. I had the honor to play for coach Collins first varsity basketball team during the '72-'73 season. We logged victory number one of his 490 with a 68-46 victory over St. Augustine. Seems like yesterday but reminded by his passing that it was long ago. I will never forget Coach Collins and all the life lessons he taught me. (Too many to list.) Let's say he was a pivotal influencial person during my High School days. The example he set for his players was just outstanding. He showed us how to have pride in our appearance, pride in our school, and to have pride in whatever our roll may be on the team to bring us collective success. All of these lessons and more served me well into adulthood.
My sincerest condolences to the entire Collins family during this difficult time. His memory will continue to be a blessing to all who were touched by his life. Thanks for everything Coach Collins! RIP Coach ! & Go Startans !

Mel Slevin

Student

January 24, 2021

What I remember about Mr. Collins was his patience and how he pronounced "Washington" in a way I'd never heard before.

Darlene Magnusson

Student

January 24, 2021

Amazing, respectful, genuine, and honest role model and coach! Always showed God's love through his actions. Thank you for always giving every athlete and student your 110%. Your passion for teaching us and coaching us will never be forgotten and I am forever GRATEFUL! MANY BLESSINGS to the Collins family.
Student Monica Medina

Monica medina

Student

January 24, 2021

Michael Collins was a favorite cousin of ours. We played so often with Candy and Mike since Joyce was close to her sister Patty. But one of my happiest memories is of something I missed entirely since I was living in LA. My mom called me the day after Mike's 40th birthday party. She was still laughing about the way Mike read out all his birthday cards and told me about some of them. He sparked each one with the right inflection, and even my very puritanical mom got a kick out of Mike's delight and twists of cards obviously rated PG-13. I will never forget that phone call, sparked by Cousin Mike, Teacher Mike, Gentleman Mike. He shared a birthday with my mother, and that always seemed like a special blessing too.

Eileen Granfors

Family

January 24, 2021

An amazing man that expected nothing but the best from all of us young men in high school and a Dad that raised two amazing Women. I had the pleasure of knowing him as one of the men in my church as well as the coach in the locker room. I played football and not basketball but if I was in the locker room acting childish he had a way of giving me a look that let me know he expected more out of me and I needed that. What a blessing to be in the same locker room and the same church. Both places he taught me about being the best I can be.

Mike Harper

Student

January 23, 2021

Coach was one of the most influential men in my life. My coach, my teacher and my mentor, his support and encouragement still pushes me to this day. An amazing coach, a wonderful teacher and an inspiration to all of us lucky to know him. A blessing he was and all who knew him were better for having been around him.

Leo Casas

Student

January 23, 2021

Coach Collins was my very first coach for an organized sport. He was the JV basketball coach and I was a gangly 6'3" kid. I stayed on the JV for two years and those two years Coach pushed me to success. He took a soft kid who avoided contact and got me to actually love it. I look back now after 40 years in the Navy and private aviation flying and those times Coach paid particular attention to me to play at my best transferred to my chosen career in the cockpit. Everything Coach taught me about competitiveness, toughness, and team served me well the last 40 years. I read about his career as Head Basketball Coach and I can say I know he touched all those players through the years and made them all better than what they ever thought they could be. I want to thank Coach in prayer for all he did for me. May God bless the Collins family with His comfort and love to ease the pain of Coache's departure,

Ken Pressley

Student

January 23, 2021

One of the all-time great Basketball Coaches in SD. RIP Coach and keep watching your Aztecs from up high. You are truly a molder of young men. God Bless.

Chris Vitous

Acquaintance

January 23, 2021

I began my journey as a coach and was in the same league with Coach Collins as he was the Gold Standard. My teams were always just trying to see if we could get good enough to compete with his excellent coached teams. I believe eventually I gained his respect as we would eventually coach an all star team together and talk at season ending award ceremonies and see if we could have some sort of a strategy as walking into the CIF playoffs would be difficult for us in the South Bay at the time. I learned about having Class, Poise and being Prepared from Coach Collins. It took me a while to read this as I am not prepared to learn about one of our own in the profession having to end life in this manner, yet I can bet you this, he was so proud that one of his former players took the time to drop by and visit him and for that brief moment, he was on top of the world yet again! Rest in Peace Coach.

John Saintignon

Friend

January 23, 2021

My first year of varsity football was Mike’s student teacher year. He was my position coach. I was 6’1” and weighed 140lbs. To top that off I wasn’t a fast runner. But he saw something in me and gave me a chance to play. By my senior year I was one of two team captains. That never would have happened without that chance. We became friends later in life and in 2005 I came down with cancer. Mike wrote me a letter that was several pages long just encouraging me to fight. That letter to touched to my core. I’ll never forget it. Thanks for your friendship Mike.RIP

David Gregg

Friend

January 23, 2021

Just something that I have been thinking about It keeps popping in my head. When I was much younger this was after Dad passed away and I was starting to play Pop warner football and Mike took me down to Bud’s athletic supply to pick up some gear. I never forgot that.

Shane Collins

Brother

January 23, 2021

I’m really saddened by Mike’s passing. He was a wonderful guy and it was a pleasure teaching with him. Janet, you are in my thoughts. Such a loss for you. I can only imagine.

Lucy Nash

Coworker

January 23, 2021

Everything I have seen through my dear friend John’s emotions and compassion towards others, especially when teaching and trying to help others is all about dedication to others and sacrifice! The people and friends that Michael touched are continuing to spread his hope and desire to make others feel they have a path to future success! God Bless Not only is he JOHNS brother but a brother to do many❤

Randy Evitts

Friend

January 23, 2021

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. & Mrs. Collins a couple of times. Cathy, their daughter, is married to my nephew A.J. Very respectful and sweet gentleman. Just want to thank them both for raising such a beautiful, talented and amazing daughter that I have the honor of calling my niece. Love that her children are following in their grandpa's love for basketball. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP Sir.

Clarinda Longoria

Friend

January 23, 2021

Janet, so sorry to read about Mike's passing, he was such a great guy! Reading the news this morning brought back a flood of memories - you teaching fun art classes at Bonita Junior High, and Mike's teaching and coaching at Chula High and running into you both at the various games and Sweetwater gatherings. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Harv Warren

Coworker

January 23, 2021

A wonderful man and his coaching had a most positive impact on all of us.

Dwight Craig

Student

January 23, 2021

Always remember coaching against him. He was a good man and a life to be proud of.

Lenny Schlein

Acquaintance

January 23, 2021

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Steven and Selayoa Lovett

Friend

January 23, 2021

I played basketball at CVHS on coach's 1975 championship team. I learned so many lessons on success an life from coach Collins. I owe a lot of my success in my life to the lessons he taught me. He will be missed.

Gary Varnell

Student

January 23, 2021

I played for Coach 1974-1976. He led those two teams to two Metro championships and we finished 3rd in the county both years with an overall record of 56-8. I look back fondly at that time. And I truly appreciate Coach for all he taught me, those lessons being beneficial to my character during my life journey. He was tough but fair and, actually, pretty funny (at times). We were fortunate to have played for such a stalwart person.

Steven Partch

Student

January 23, 2021

Collins and Longoria Families - What an impressive career and incredible impact he left on so many. I love that he instilled the love of basketball in you Cathy and that your boys will continue to share that love of the game! We will continue to keep your family in our prayers.

Kristin Reid

Friend

January 23, 2021

Mike was one of the most highly respected men and coaches in San Diego who had a tremendous impact on many. Our prayers for Janet and family. Ron Wey

Ron Wey

Friend

January 23, 2021

Coach Collins was an Assistant Coach when I played basketball at CVHS in the 80's. Two memories stand out for me. The first was when I rode with him to a tournament and the car broke down and we had to walk the rest of the way to the game. (no cell phones or Uber back then!). He was so relaxed and calm about the whole thing. So much so that it didn't even occur to me to be concerned about missing the game! We just walked and chatted and I was completely relaxed and ready to play when we arrived! When he asked me to be a stat keeper for Football I saw a completely different side of his personality! :-) Fiery and passionate! I went on to coach myself and always remembered his ability to give each player / situation the push that was needed, when it was needed. Coach Collins was a staple of my HS experience.

I'm so sorry your family is experiencing such a huge loss. He will be missed.

Lori Morris

Student

January 23, 2021

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