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John Collins Obituary
John Collins April 7, 1926 to December 14, 2012
John Collins, 86, passed away at his home in Naples, FL, surrounded by his family, Friday, December. 14, 2012. John was born April 7, 1926, in Speonk, NY, to Herbert Boyd Collins and Delephene Smith Collins.
At age 17, John volunteered for the Air Force Cadet Program.
After WWII he went to work for Norman Auto Supply in Fort Myers. He moved to Naples in 1956 to manage Naples Service & Supply, and in 1982, he opened John Collins Auto Parts on Shirley Street. He retired in 1991 but continued to be an active and integral part of the business until just prior to his passing. John was well known in Naples for his expertise in all things automotive and mechanical.
John shared the past 37 years of his life with his loving wife Marilyn Whitney Collins. He has three children: son, Cary Collins (Joyce) of Lake Placid, son, Jack Collins (Rena) of Naples; and daughter, Kim Evans (Ted) of Arcadia; three stepchildren: Gail Crisp, Jan Barbuto (Bobby), and Pam McCollum, of Naples, FL; eight grandchildren: Austin, Erin, Jessica, Joey, John, Kelli, Kimberly, and Whitney; three great grandchildren: Elizabeth, Madison and Morgan; and several nephews and nieces. John has one sister, Mary Wheeler, of St. Petersburg, FL.
John's favorite leisure activity was golf, and he was a proud member of the 'Dew Sweepers'. In his golf career, he had seven holes in one. It was the sport he liked most of all. Other hobbies included riding a four-wheeler and operating a tractor on his son Cary's property in Arcadia. He also enjoyed welding and was a 'Life Member' of the American Welding Society. He was a Rotary Club member since 1962 and had perfect attendance for 42 years. John also loved to travel, and he and his wife Marilyn traveled all over the world.
John Collins will be truly missed by his family and loved ones, but what a legacy he has left behind.
A celebration of John's life will be held at a later date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Avow Hospice or Huntington's Disease Society of America.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Collins
George Ehrhard
January 14, 2013
John was a faithfully member, Board of Director and Insurance trustee of the Florida Automotive Industry Association.
We are sorry to hear of his passing,he was a very special peron.John will be missed by many of his fellow members but never forgotten to what he contributed to the Automotive aftermarket association and industry.
George Ehrhard, AAAS Florida Operation Director
December 24, 2012
So sorry about your loss.He will be missed.
Rick (Benny) Capen
michelle rowland
December 19, 2012
Cary and Joyce, We were very sorry to hear of Mr. Collins passing. He was a kind and gentle man and he will be missed. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Vern and Michelle Rowland
Henriette and Bob Short
December 18, 2012
Dear Marilyn,
So sorry for your loss, John was such a good man. You and your family are in our thoughts.
Hugs,
Henriette and Bob Short
Mary Jones O'Neil
December 18, 2012
I am so sorry to learn of John Collin's passing. I remember him as a kind and gentle man. My sympathies and prayers are with the family.
December 18, 2012
We were sorry to hear of Mr. Collins' passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Sincerely, Lynda and Eugene C. Turner
December 18, 2012
What a good hearted Guy . Only knew him through work but he always took good care of me and I had respect for him. Sorry for your loss Collins Family but it will get better each day .
Mary and John Hazell
Terry Arick
December 18, 2012
John,
You were a wonderful loving person and your were always pleasent to me and my family. My Father, Bob always looked forward to spending time with you and the boys. Rest in piece.
Betty Horn
December 18, 2012
I was happy to have had John as a brother-in-law. He was a quiet, peaceful man who was loved and respected by all in my family.
Lanette Keller
December 18, 2012
Cary, Joyce and family;
I am sorry for your loss of John. Time passes by so quickly and it is very difficult to lose a parent. My prayers are with you all.
Danny and Paula Fabian
December 18, 2012
We are so sorry to hear of John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his amazing family. I love you all.
December 18, 2012
So very sorry for the family. Mr. Collins was a fine man as well as a great friend to my father Chill.
Kim Williams
GAIL WHITNEY CRISP
December 18, 2012
LOVE YA PAPA JOHN
Joe White
December 18, 2012
I am sorry to learn of Mr. Collin's passing. I will always remember him behind the counter at his auto parts store. Mr. Collins was a Naples original.
My sympathies and prayers are with you all.
Cary & Jack, my thoughts are with you during this sad time.
Rena Collins
December 18, 2012
John was a good father-in-law, and I am blessed to be a part of the Collins Family.
Danny Brack
December 18, 2012
To John's Loved Ones,
I was saddened to learn of Mr. Collins passing. I can picture him in my mind's eye as he always was...smiling and a as a very peaceful and gentle soul. May he rest in peace and may you all be comforted by your memories.
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