Peter James Collins

Years later I still think about you and how your love spread like wildfire. You´ll always be remembered

My uncle, Pete, was there, alive, when I was born, and... passed on when I was four. Even though it is sad, Its not as sad for me because I still remember him, and like to think that hes still out there somewhere; STILL playing cars and trucks with me as he was when I was little. Bodhi G.

I still can never for get you Peter you are in heart forever, laced into my soul like a comfortable old shoe.
I miss you so much.

Dear Elaine and family;
Please accept my late condolences for the passing of your dear son Peter. Over the past year Elaine, we exchanged details about our families through our emails. Learning about Peter's remarkable life and your devotion to seeing Peter fulfill his purpose with us on earth made me aware of what an exceptional woman you are. Today's news about Peter's passing has made me pause and reflect on the gift of life.

My mother always told me if you want to learn to live go talk to Peter. Gods speed brother.

I just heard of Pete's death. I remember him so well, greeting us on our first days at Camp Manito and always saying "Hi" when we ran into him elsewhere. Life isn't easy when you are born with spina bifida, but he kept smiling and encouraging everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with you; thank you for sharing Pete with us. Sincerely, Marie - aka "Ellen & Luke's Mom"

Dear Collins Family, What an exceptional person ...Peter; lives on in this extensive Memorial. He touched so many lives with vibrant memories, and embodied the loving caring family you are. As he was always there for others, so were you for him. He made us better people for knowing him. May his memories comfort you in this time, to realize he is still here in such. In Sympathy,
-Kirsten Hauer MD

Your family has been very much on my mind. It was because of your excellent care that Pete lived as long as he did and we were blessed by his indomitable spirit. He was very loved and very loving and told me how much he appreciated that love and care of his family and friends. His gift is his spirit of endurance and remarkable strength which he gave to all around him. What a generous, unforgettable person. He was always his sister's biggest fan and he is still there in the music forever. I will think of him and smile as he smiled in the face of challenges we can not imagine.
"Still ours, but gone before".

I was driving to the St.Joseph's on the Brandywine cemetery to say goodbye to Peter. I was alone in my car and just started thanking Peter for coming into my life and being a friend and inspiring me to write songs about a little boy with a big heart and a bigger smile who had a sister Mary Arden and a dog named Snarky and who loved Green M&M's. Thank you Lord for allowing Peter to touch my heart in this lifetime and I look forward to the time when I will see his Big Smile again in heaven. "Peter Collins can you hear me? I can see you smiling when I call your name. Peter Collins I'm a calling you My Friend!"

Peter Collins

Those who knew Peter, knew he was stubborn.

If he loved something, he stuck with it. If he loved to do something, he did it again and again and again. If he loved you, he loved you forever. He was not going to give up on certain things; he was not going to give up on you. He was stubborn in love.

His stubbornness was simplicity itself. For Peter, there was little to no need to question what or who he loved. He knew what was what, he knew who people were, and he knew if they were good. It was a love that was both adult and child-like. His insight and understating were the adult side; his child-like love was his faith in you, his feeling for what was in your soul, his devotion to you. There was a purity in his love. He was stubborn in love.

All of us have lost people in our lives, and some of us have lost lots of people who were important to us. They are gone and we miss them terribly. We have intense feelings for the family they leave behind; we worry for them, and we help them grieve. Take a moment at night or in the early morning hours and consider the place that person had in your life. For me, I am always going to remember the moments when I would walk into camp during the summer and see Pete smiling and saying hello. He was there every summer. He smiled every summer. He greeted everyone he saw with a happy hello every, every, every summer. He was stubborn in love.

Elaine,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hopefully in time, you will remember happy times with Peter and thoughts of his final days of suffering will fade. God bless and peace be with you all.
Warmly, Mary Beth and Bill Sheing

I remember talking with Pete about how he wish his hand drum was louder, so we attach a microphone and a mini guitar amp to it. I'm not sure how well it worked, but he was happy with the set-up.

I will always have Peter in my heart and he is my best bud, my true love, my Camp Son. I miss him every second and will pass his message of joy and happiness to others everyday. Thank you for being a great family to me.

I think of him several times, on a daily basis, and miss him lots. SO GLAD he was my friend, and was blessed with MANY joyful times with him, which I'll always carry in my heart.

My sincerest sympathy to his family, and his many friends, which, I'm proud to say, I was one of, since VERY EARLY childhood.

God bless You.

Sincere condolences for your loss. The physical can not contain the human spirit. Peter was a wonderful individual who inspired all who met him. May the God of all comfort be with you all.

Mary,

I am so sorry to hear the news about your brother. He sounds like he was such an inspiring person who truly enjoyed his time here on this planet. It truly puts life into perspective after reading his obituary; we take so much for granted in our daily lives. My heart and love goes out to you and your family. Xo

My prayers go out to you sorry about your loss. I remember how happy he always was when I was little. He was a GREAT person.

Dear Mrs. Collins,
You offered my family condolences after my sister, Karen Cunningham, passed away a year and a half ago. Karen and I were in your 3rd grade class, 2 years apart, at Corpus Christi back in the 1960's. It is now my turn to offer you and your family much heartfelt sympathy on the loss of you son, Peter. According to all of these posts, your son was a terrific guy with many friends who will miss him on a daily basis. I am very sorry for your tragic loss!

We will miss seeing you at the Concord Mall. We enjoyed talking to you - you were always so kind and always asked how our family was doing. Love, Bill and Cathy Dolbow

Pete is an Angel. He was my personal HERO and inspiration. Always upbeat and a joy to be with. All I know is that whenever we meet again he will have much to say, and a with a healthy dose of humor and caring energy. Pete you are with God now and whenever the wind blows I will think of you. You are free now to fly and climb trees and run. I will always cherish you.

Pete will always be remembered for his determination, big heart and great personality. Peter I love you more then all the gumballs u and I shared. The most amazing person and now angel. My condolences to Jim, Elaine and Mary. Love Karen and Mark

Peter will forever be in my heart he was a very loving friend and he will be missed. My condolence to his parents and family.

Vanessa Tonkin

I don't know if you remember me but I had Peter in my class during the 1984-85 school year at Darley Road Elementary School. He was very positive and was especially good in math. I remember your determination to have him included in all the activities and specials offered in the school. I often saw him at the mall and he remembered me and we spoke often there. I am so sorry for your lose. Mrs. Sue DiCristofaro

Peter was a special person as are his caring and loving parents. I always think of Peter when I see balloons,he liked them. My condolences to the Collins family.

I will miss seeing at the mall and always cheering me up when I was down, I'll miss cracking jokes with you, and you saying " O GOD ITS YOU"
When I'd see you.
You'll be truly missed by all
Prayers going out to your family.

Here's to a very nice person. I met you when I was a volunteer at Camp Manito, all the way back in 1991. You will be missed.

My condolences for your loss. Please turn to God for comfort. Psalm 65:2

Peter was a friend and a former classmate. Always enjoyed running into him at the Concord Mall where we would talk about old times. He will be missed.

I will miss my yearly birthday call. Pete never forgot for the last 30 some years. I will miss his smiling face at the desk at Camp. Condolences to the family.

My heart goes out to the Collins family on loss of my dear friend Peter
I will always remember the last words Peter and I said to each other I will always love my friend .
Rip Peter
I love you my dear friend

He truly was a beautiful person. He left us all way too early and his wonderful spirit will be sorely missed. Fly free now my friend, you will always live in our hearts.

You were always there for me at Camp Manito, you were a great friend to me and made me smile. Rest in peace, Pete.

God bless you Peter, always. You will so be missed.

Pete was a regular visitor at A I duPont Hospital for Children and always made us smile and made our days a little brighter.

Your strength and courage will never be forgotten!

Rest in peace Peter

My Sweetie Petey...
Every place I go, I'll think of you.
Every song I sing, I sing to you.
Thank you for always being there for me... always.
You are in my heart forever.
I love you without end.
Mary

You have my thoughts and prayers

Peter, I always called you,"MY HERO",and when you asked why. I simply stated because you are so strong, brave, kind and always laughed at my jokes. I also called you, "COOL BREEZE", because of how well you treated everyone you met.

Peter, I love and miss you !

Uncle Marky

Friends in Topanga Canyon honor Pete's memory and send comfort to your family during this difficult time.