Robert Cecil Collins

Bob as family patriarch is remembered as a loyal family man and leaves five children: Patrick; Bonny Mattila (Glenn); Doreen Fehr (Calvin); Ronald (Darlene); Cynthia Leach (Allan); ten grandchildren: Richard Payne (Karen); Victoria Payne (Shane); Shawn Collins (Theresa); Cole Mattila (Carina); Julie Spencer (Rick); Roxanne Fehr-Carlson (Boomer); Laura Collins (Shane); Charmaine Jackson (Chris); Jillian Schumard (Kevin), Kyle Leach; fifteen great-grandchildren. Sister Phyllis Friesen. Predeceased by mother Elsie Calvert (Collins) (Webster) (1989); father Henry Collins (1925); step-father Harry Calvert (1972); sister Doreen Harris (2008). Remembered by nieces, nephews, cousins and families in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Cousin, Michael (June) Hubbard, Petworth, England. The Webster cousins Auckland, New Zealand. Bob was born in Calgary, Alberta to Elsie and Henry Collins (Veteran WWI). Elsie later married Harry Calvert and the family moved to Vancouver 1927, a year later to Scotland, returning to Vancouver 1931, and Victoria 1936. Bob’s early schooling was various attending primary schools in Calgary, Vancouver, and Langholm, Scotland. Later, schooling at Tempelton Junior High in Vancouver followed by the family settling in Victoria and Bob attending Victoria High School. While living in Vancouver during the depression years (dirty thirties) Bob (10 years old) found his own needs by selling Liberty Magazine and Vancouver Sun using the money to contribute to the family. He was an Eagle Scout leader and attended the Lord Baden Powell Grand Rally at Hastings Park in 1935. Moving to Victoria in 1936 he managed time for 7 am household delivery of the daily Colonist and Vancouver Sun, then off to school for 9 am. Summer months from 1937-1939 involved riding the freight rails with his cousin, Malcolm Harper, to the Okanagan and Alberta to look for work, always returning late for school in September. With the war starting in September 1939, Bob left school and enlisted in the naval permanent force as a boy seaman, January 1940 age 17. He enlisted at HMCS Naden, Esquimalt BC. Qualifying as a wireless operator 1941 Bob was sent to Halifax and then Ottawa to serve at the new wireless stations located at the government experimental farm and at Sandy Hill. He met his beautiful Marjorie and married in 1942. Posted to Victoria early 1943 for emergency mine-sweeping service in HMCS Courtenay based Prince Rupert patrolling the coasts of British Columbia and Alaska. East coast service followed in 1944 by taking part in patrol and convoy duties in the Battle of the Atlantic. Bob served in various HMCS ships, Wentworth, Petrolia, Kootenay and finally returning to Esquimalt in Levis II in January 1946 – a long time to be away from family in Victoria (without the internet). After the war Bob decided for a career in the navy. Along with his wife and family traveled many times coast to coast to serve in various ships and establishments – Naval LORAN, Whitehead NS; naval radio station Masset, Queen Charlotte Islands; Gander, NF; Aklavik, NWT; Washington DC; HMCS locations at Cornwallis NS; Gloucester ON; Coverdale, Moncton NB. In 1964, Bob was appointed Staff Officer to naval reserve HMCS Unicorn Saskatoon, SK where he served until 1970, then appointed to Ottawa to serve within the communications distribution authority at CFB Rockcliffe until his retirement in 1972. In 1974, he started a second career with the BC provincial government in the Ministry of Forests, Technical Services Branch retiring in 1987; a public servant of the Crown both Federal and Provincial for over 45 years. Bob enjoyed life in the Cordova Bay area of Victoria. Along with Marjorie he kept busy with the fruit trees and gardening and receiving many visits from friends and family. In 1991 Marj and Bob moved to another home in Victoria, and enjoyed ten years of RV travel throughout Canada and USA. He and Marj continued to live independently in their home until their passing. A devoted respectable family man and loving helpmate with a strong sense of responsibility and spirituality, his motto was “everything in moderation and to love one another”. He enjoyed his family photography especially his “rogue gallery”; he was an avid reader, and an early-on amateur radio operator VE1, VE5, VE8, VE7MU. Bob was a legion member Britannia Branch No. 7. Bob loved his sweet treats.

Long lived – good life – generous spirit – good deal Bob.

Cremation.

Arrangements under the direction of First Memorial Funeral Services, Victoria, BC.