Obituary of William Collinson

William (Bill) Collinson, beloved husband of Mrs. Mary Gwynne Collinson of Calgary, passed away at the Foothills Medical Centre on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at the age of 81 years. Bill was born on March 19, 1922 in Nateby, Lancashire, England. He was raised on a farm near Middleton, Lancashire and was educated at Friends’ School, Lancaster and Hutton Agricultural College. He served in the Royal Navy from 1940 to 1946. During this time, he married Mary Gwynne Speight on August 18, 1943 on a brief shore leave. Mary and Bill celebrated the anniversary of sixty years of a full and happy life together in 2003. After immigrating with Mary to Canada in 1950, he lived in Calgary until his death. Early in his time in Calgary, Bill became involved in the investment business, spending most of his working life as a Registered Representative with the brokerage firm of James Richardson and Sons, later Richardson Greenshields. Investment and “the market” would remain a passionate interest. Bill’s naval service also deeply affected his life. He was actively involved with naval concerns until his death. Bill was an unflagging supporter of the Navy League of Canada; a former Commanding Officer of Navy League Cadet Corps “Captain Jackson”; a firm friend of the Naval Museum of Alberta; and an active member of the Naval Officers’ Association of Canada. Bill was also a member of the Royal Alberta United Services Institute and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #264. Bill was energetically involved in St. Stephen’s and St. Barnabas’ Anglican parishes in Calgary. He cherished his church membership and the many bonds he made with people as a result. From his farming youth, Bill had a special love of nature and of agriculture. He especially delighted in long drives through the magnificently diverse Alberta countryside with Mary, savouring the subtle changes in the land with every passing season. Besides his loving wife Mary, Bill is also survived by his son Brian; daughter-in-law Heather; his granddaughter Lydia of Oakville, ON; and his grandson Joel of Toronto, ON; and by his cousin Jenny Stewart of Clifton, Lancashire, England. Bill will also be sadly missed by his relatives through marriage, Dora and Elmer Bethune, Enid Gray, Bill Rowbotham, and his nephews and nieces and their families. Funeral Services will be held at St. Barnabas’ Anglican Church (1407 – 7th Avenue N.W.) on Monday, February 23, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. with the Rev’d Dr David A. Guthrie officiating. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Parkinson’s Society of Southern Alberta, 480D – 36 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1W4 Telephone: (403) 243-9901 www.parkinsons-society.org. In living memory of William Collinson, a tree will be planted at Nose Creek Valley by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 276-2296.