Gordon Wayne Collins

Toronto artist and retired art professor, Gordon Collins, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 13, 2019 at his residence. Gordon spent the last days of his life visited by his children.

Gordon was the consummate artist; a sculptor, painter, graphic designer, illustrator, cartoonist, and art professor. Everything Gordon touched became an art project, whether it was working as a freelance commercial artist from his studio in Don Mills, Ontario, or at his summer cottage in Muskoka creating sand sculptures on the beach. Art was the love of his life and Gordon leaves a prolific body of work that is his legacy. Gordon created commercial art work for such companies as: TV Ontario, Molson’s, Bata Shoes, and the Country Guide Magazine, among countless others. He created illustrations for school books (the same books his children learned to read with), comic books, board games and television commercials. His work was displayed in local Toronto galleries. Gordon was also the recipient of the Arthur Award for Artistic Distinction in Painting. For ten years he held the position of Professor of Art and Design at George Brown College. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Gordon grew up during the great depression; he was stubbornly independent with an uncompromising faith in being his own man. His mother, recognizing his interest and skill in illustration, enrolled him in art classes. Gordon followed that passion for the rest of his life. He was never a man to boast about his work, his reward was in creating it, and that was enough for him. Gordon is survived by his three children: Paula Collins of Toronto, Greg Collins and his partner, Kelly Kamstra-Lloyd of Mono, Ontario, Michael Collins and his partner, Ginette Molina of New York, grandchildren Mackenzie, Madeline, and Sophie, sister Lillian of Winnipeg, her husband Ray and their children Jocelyn, Brian and Colleen.