Obituary of Edwin "Ted" Albert Collins

COLLINS ~Edwin “Ted” Collins passed away at the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Monday, August 17, 2015 at the age of 85 years. Ted leaves behind: his wife Jean Collins; sons: Dale and wife Josie Collins, Bud and wife Linda Ann Collins and Doug and wife Cheryl Collins; seven grand-children and seven great-grandchildren; sisters: Mariel Plumb, Dorothy Schadt, Margaret Venance & Ernie Ostrom and sister-in-law, Margaret Insull. The memorial service for Ted Collins was conducted from the Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship Church, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 2:00 PM with Reverend Paul DuVal officiating. The eulogy was given by Monte Armstrong. The Grace United Church Choir was in attendance. The organist was Irene Knowlson. The urnbearer was Dale Collins. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. CARD OF THANKS We would like to send a special thanks to Dr. Kerlis and staff in palliative care. Also, thanks to McCaw Funeral Service for all their help. Thank you to all the good friends and relatives who visited Ted during his stay in the hospital, and for all the food, cards and flowers sent to our home. In lieu of thank you cards, a donation in Ted’s name will be made. Jean Collins Dale & Josie and Family Bud & Linda Anne and Family Doug & Cheryl and Family EULOGY Good Afternoon, My name is Monte Armstrong. I am very honored to speak about my friend and curling teammate, Ted Collins. Edwin Collins, (or Ted as we all knew him) was born in Lloydminster on June 8, 1930 to Walter and Grace Collins, the 6th of seven children. He was raised and attended school near McLaughlin, AB. In 1950 he moved to Lone Rock and it was there at the New Year’s Eve dance that he met Jean Thomson. They were married in 1951 and they have 3 sons, Dale, Bud and Doug. His family has now grown to include 7 Grandchildren and 7 Great-Grandchildren. Ted was predeceased by his brothers Walter and Eric and a sister Georgina. He is survived by 3 sisters, Murial Plumb, Dorothy Schadt and Margaret Venance-Ostrom. Ted started his career in the oil industry in 1951 while living in the Lone Rock area. In the early years he worked on maintenance crews and service rigs before starting to contract operate wells. He also operated a water truck business. In 1963, he and Danny Lorinczy started C & L Well Operators, which Ted operated until he retired in 2002 after 51 years of service in the oil industry. Ted was always involved in the Lone Rock community with coaching baseball, flooding the skating rink and getting the curling ice ready. He was active in the construction of both the United Church and the community hall in Lone Rock where he also served on their boards. In 1966 Ted & Jean moved their family to Lloydminster. (I think so Ted could be closer to the curling rink). In 1970 they moved to the acreage by Marshall where they lived for 28 years before retiring to Lloydminster. Ted was a talented singer and often performed with his siblings at birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. In later years he entertained at the Pioneer Lodge, Points West and the Legacy Centre. If there had been “Lone Rock Has Talent” back then, I am sure Ted would have won it. His rendition of “Oh Canada” was always entertaining as he sang it annually at the Oilmen’s Bonspiel up until he was 82. In 1968 Ted formed a committee to organize the first “Oilmen’s Bonspiel” in Lloydminster, which Ted won that year. He served on the executive for the next 20 years and was recognized during the 25th Anniversary as “Oilman of the Year”; a most deserving honor. He also served on the Lloydminster Curling Club executive and was president of Zone8 for the Northern Alberta Curling Association. Ted won numerous curling events. He was however very proud of the many oilmen’s bonspiels he won over the years including Lloydminster (6 times), Macklin, Wainwright, Lac La Biche, Grande Centre, Maidstone, Edam and Regina to name a few. Some special highlights for him were winning the Senior Wayside Classic, going to Provincial Seniors and winning the Senior Super League at the age of 77. This week I met Jean’s sister, Margret from BC. I know for years Ted sent Jean out to visit Margret during the Oilmen’s Bonspiel week so he could really let his hair down!!! After his retirement, Ted and his crew were very dedicated in helping get the curling ice ready each fall. He continued to do this into his early 80’s. They would throw rocks in the morning, have coffee and discuss the world of curling. Ted also liked to golf but enjoyed curling more as he didn’t have to search for his curling rock and never ever lost one. He also enjoyed going to the lake with the younger folk for a wiener roast, a beer and a can of beans. I first met Ted in 1976 at the old curling rink here in Lloydminster. At the time I thought he was such a serious individual but over the years I realized it was his competitive manner. He always had concerns about how the ice would be or how good the opposition was. We didn’t have to worry when we curled with Ted as he did all the worrying for the whole team. And Jack and I probably gave him lots to worry about. It didn’t matter what he was doing; whether it was curling, sitting on a committee or working – Ted was always serious about the task at hand I am sure many of you have memories curling with or against Ted. I remember curling in Lac La Biche Oilmen’s and we were on the ice at about one in the morning. We were up 9-0 after 3 ends and were counting about 4. When I came down the ice to throw my last rock, Jack said he heard the other team say they were not quitting until they got a point. We realized they had only one rock in play about 8 feet from where Ted was holding the broom. I threw about ten feet wide of Ted’s broom and Jack and Bernie swept it all the way and we tapped our opposition’s rock onto the button. Ted watched in horror from the back board but finally gave a grin when he realized what we were doing and that everyone else in the rink was laughing. Our opponent quit, happy, knowing they had scored a point against Ted Collins. Ted won a lot of bonspiels with not only his excellent shot-making but his ability to keep his team focused and away from the curling lounge. Having said that, I don’t know how he won so many games with Jack and myself on his team. Ted would usually say after the game, “Jack you can have one beer” to which Jack always replied, “Yes Ted, just the last one”. Ted loved curling; just mention the word and he was ready to go. Ted is now in a place where the ice is always keen and true. He has joined his curling buddies Ron, Howie and Matt and I am sure he has them booked to curl this weekend. Happy curling Ted. Rest in peace.