John Collins RYAN

John Collins (Colin) RYAN October 7, 1922 - February 5, 2015 In loving memory of "Colin," who passed away at age 92 on February 5, 2015. Colin was a resident of George Derby Centre in Burnaby, BC during his last four years of life. His family is most grateful for the compassionate and loving care he received from the staff of Special Care Unit - East.

Colin was born in Victoria, BC on October 7, 1922 to James and Annie Ryan. He was the fifth child of six children. His siblings were Jim, Frank, Kay, Don and Jean. His family moved to Burnaby when Colin was five. He attended school at Inman Avenue Elementary and graduated from Kingsway East which later became known as Burnaby South Secondary.

In WWII, Colin served proudly as a navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force where he was stationed in England and saw active duty in Europe.

In 1946, Colin married the "love of his life," Lola Saunders. They were happily married for 57 years and resided in Burnaby for almost fifty years before relocating to New Westminster. Lola passed away in 2003.

All his working life, Colin was a passionate businessman. He introduced the Lower Mainland to television in 1950 with the opening of a string of "ABC Television" stores. He later added Victoria and Nanaimo to the list of cities served by BC's first television retailer. Later, in 1960, Colin founded "J. Collins Furniture Gallery" which eventually became known as "J. Collins Thomasville Gallery." He served as president until his retirement in 1987.

Colin was an active Rotarian for many decades. He served as board member with The Fraser River Society, and also proudly served on the Burnaby Hospital Foundation for many years including one term as its chairman.

Colin joined The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, BC over fifty-five years ago. For most of his lifetime he was an active and avid golfer enjoying multiple rounds each week with his many friends. The club was also a fixture in regular family celebrations.

Colin was a wonderful husband and father and a great friend to many! He loved singing, dancing, travelling and hosting parties!

He leaves behind his younger sister, Jean Wike and family of Nevada; his son, Dennis; daughter, Candice (Rob) Hopkins; daughter-in-law, Cindy; grandchildren: Sean (Melisa), Scott, and Shayla Ryan; Nicole (Brad) Gordon, Kimberly (Eric) Pinkham, and Ryan Hopkins; great grandchildren: Melia, Matea and Logan Ryan; brother-in-law Stan (Kathy) Saunders and family; and many nieces and nephews.

A "Celebration of Life" for Colin will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club: 771 Austin Avenue, Coquitlam, BC.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Alzheimer Association of BC would be greatly appreciated.