Obituary of Michael John Collins

COLLINS, Michael

February 20, 1954 – Toronto, Ontario

December 3, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Michael “Mike” John Collins, beloved husband of Susan Collins (nee Young), of Calgary, AB, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 3, 2021, at the age of 67 years. Despite the best efforts of both Susan and Caitlin to save him, Michael passed away suddenly.

Our Mike was a devoted father, loving brother, and my partner in life. He was so very proud of Caitlin and Cory and adored our dog, Darcy. We were married in November of 1985. He was a dedicated Minister of Communion and a devoted Catholic. He was an enthusiastic “Couch Coach” for many a sporting event, whether it was the Leaf’s or a little league game (this involved a lot of yelling at the TV). Mike was a Washer of Cars, Mower of Lawns, Blower of Snow (for the entire neighborhood), and a Breaker of Boards (Tae Kwon Do). Mike worked at Allied Chemical, Stauffer Chemical and Amoco Chemical in Chicago. He continued to work for Amoco, then BP Amoco, and finally BP Pipelines. We enjoyed living in Naperville, Illinois for 30+ years, where we raised our two kids. He finished his career in Anchorage, Alaska, before retiring in the summer of 2020. We moved to Calgary, Canada, this past summer, to be closer to family. Mike was diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer in October of this year and began chemotherapy on November 20th. He was taken from us way too soon.

Loving husband to Susan and devoted father of Caitlin and Cory (Janine), Mike also leaves behind his siblings Fr. David Collins, Joseph (Carol) Collins, Dennis (Edna) Collins, Mary Anne (Dave) Wallis, and Paul (Sue) Collins. Mike was predeceased by his mother Mary Collins (nee Hallinan); his father Gerald Collins; and infant sister Theresa. He will be sorely missed by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, in-laws and countless friends.

A Private Funeral Service will be held at McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. We would love to hear your best memories of Mike. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to a Cancer charity or a local food bank of the donor’s choice, or Feeding America at https://www.feedingamerica.org/, or International Rescue Committee (IRC) at https://www.rescue.org/.

In living memory of Michael Collins, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.