Obituary of Eric Collins

Eric William Collins was born on the family homestead in the Moyerton District on November 17, 1919 to Walter Harry and Grace Winnifred (Howard) Collins, the second of seven children. He passed away peacefully at the Lloydminster Hospital on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the age of 89 years. Eric’s funeral service was conducted from Grace United Church on Friday, August 14, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Harold Martin officiating. Derek Collins gave the eulogy. The Grace United Church Choir led the singing of the hymns. The hymns sung were “How Great Thou Art” accompanied on the piano by Grant Collins, “Be Not Afraid” accompanied with singing and guitars by Grant and Jennifer Collins and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” joined on the chorus by Eric’s Great Grandchildren. Eric’s Masonic brothers of the Britannia Lodge were the honorary pallbearers and the active pallbearers were his nephews Rick Venance, Daryl Venance, Dale Collins, Mark Sayer, Doug Collins, Larry Collins and Bud Collins and great nephew, Marty Baker. Interment was held at the McLaughlin Cemetery followed by lunch at the McLaughlin Hall. Eric married Liv Thoreson on November 8, 1941 and they moved onto the family farm. Their son Dale was born on April 22, 1943. Eric farmed and also worked as a grain buyer for the Alberta Pacific Grain Company. He purchased land from his brother-in-law, Gibbon Thoreson, south of McLaughlin and he and Liv built a new home. He worked at the elevator for over 20 years then retired and continued farming. Eric was always involved in his community. He served on many committees: the Merton Rural Electrification Board, the McLaughlin United Church, the Hall Board, the Seed Cleaning Plant and the Curling Rink. He and his wife, Liv, were active in curling and later took up golfing. Besides being active in the community, Eric and Liv also traveled to Norway to visit the Norwegian relatives and went several times to Hawaii. They enjoyed many years wintering in Mesa, Arizona doing what they loved most, golfing, visiting with old and new friends and, of course, Eric especially loved playing music for dances at their park. In 1997 Eric and Liv bought a condo in Winston Manor. Liv, his loving wife of 62 years, passed away on May 6, 2004 and Eric moved into the Pioneer Lodge in October of that year. He loved living at the Lodge and he considered it his home. In March, due to a decline in his health, he went to live at the Dr. Cooke. Although he adjusted well, he deeply missed his friends and his home at the Pioneer Lodge. The most important things in Eric’s life were, first and foremost, his family, his son and daughter-in-law, grandsons and eight great grandchildren. Eric and his brothers and sisters and their husbands and wives also were extremely close. Eric and Liv spent many happy times camping, golfing and visiting with all of them. Family was everything to him and he was proud of them all! Eric’s father was a gifted classical musician and always tried to have a piano in their home. Eric remembered that his dad gave the kids music lessons twice a day, once in the morning, before you did anything else, when your mind was good, and then after you came home from school, then chores and more practice after chores. It was sometimes difficult but never once in his life did he regret the gift of music that his father passed on to him and he enjoyed sharing his music with others. He especially loved to hear the great-grandkids play for him when they were together. Eric and Liv were members of the McLaughlin United Church until they moved to Lloydminster where they became faithful members of the Grace United Church. Eric was also a member of the Masons being initiated in Edgerton in January 1950. In 1961 he moved his affiliation to the Britannia Lodge in Lloydminster. He was the organist at Britannia Lodge with the exception of a few years in the 1980’s when he had some heart problems. Eric provided his special blend of music to all occasions up to the present time. Eric was proud to be a Mason, considered it a privilege to share his gift of music and retained his membership until his passing. Eric was a gentle, kind man and will be sadly missed by his many friends. He leaves to mourn his passing his son Dale and Barb Collins of McLaughlin, grandson, Derek, Geraldine and children, Cain, Shae and Amanda Collins, Vermilion, grandson, Grant, Jennifer and children, Jared, Shane, Ethan and Liam Collins, Manning, AB; grandson, Jeff, Nicole and daughter Maisie Collins, Lloydminster, sister, Muriel Plumb, Lloydminster, sister, Dorothy Schadt, Lake Cowechon, BC, brother, Ted and Jean Collins, Lloydminster, sister, Margaret Venance Ostrom and Ernie Ostrom, Lloydminster, sister-in-law, Freda Collins, Lloydminster, brother-in-law, Gibbon Thoreson, Salmon Arm, BC, sister-in-law, Ella Nelson, Lloydminster and numerous extended family members. He was predeceased by his wife, Liv Thoreson, sister, Georgina McAmmond, brother, Walter Collins, brothers-in-law, Harold Plumb, Clarence Venance, Glen Schadt, Jim McAmmond, Thormod Thoreson, Egil Thoreson, Norman Nelson and Carl Christianson and sisters-in-law, Ragnhild Christianson, Margret Thoreson and Bjorg Sayer. CARD OF THANKS Heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses of the Lloydminster Hospital, Home Care nurses, staff of the Pioneer Lodge and Dr. Cooke for their care of our dad, grandpa Eric over the past few years and at the time of his passing. Our deepest gratitude to Rev. Harold Martin for conducting the funeral service and the Grace United Church Choir for their beautiful music. Special thanks are extended to Eric’s Masonic brothers as honorary pallbearers and his nephews who were the active pallbearers. Thank you to everyone for the many cards, memorial donations, food, flowers, phone calls and visits. They were great comfort to the family. Our thanks also go to the McLaughlin Ladies for their wonderful lunch and to McCaw Funeral Service for administering the funeral arrangements. Donations in memory of Eric may be made to Pioneer Lodge Comfort Fund, McLaughlin Cemetery or a charity of the donors choice.