James "Jim" Collias

James “Jim” Collias, age 89, of Harper Woods, Michigan, passed away on November 22, 2020. James was born on August 30, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan, to his loving parents George and Panagiota Collias.

As a child, James always looked forward to going to church with his family. Not only did he attend but he would proudly sing in the church choir. Through the church he met his first wife and mother of his children. When James came of age, he joined the Air Force and proudly served our country. Education was important to him and he sought out a better life though one. He went to college for a bachelor’s in accounting and used this, and his entrepreneurial spirit, to start his own business. He opened Starlit TV Repair in 1960 and it is still open and running today, 60 years later. In 1975, James met his beloved wife Pat. Starting in April and going through to November they worked and tended to their award-winning English Garden. They loved to share the beauty that they created with anyone who wanted to take a tour of it. They loved living in Michigan but once the weather changed, and there was no gardening left to do, they would head down to Florida for the winter. James loved to go fishing on the ocean and was always happy reeling in bonefish and sailfish. His love for music never faded and you could catch him singing along to some Mario Lanza or Frank Sinatra songs.

Jim will be forever missed by his loving wife Mary Pat Collias. He is the loving father to Marianthe (Ken) Barnett, George (Ann) Collias, predeceased by Christine, Peter (Rebekah) Collias and the cherished stepfather to Michael (Tracy) Smiddy. Jim is the treasured grandfather to Emily Barnett, Alexandra (Jordon) Wertheimer, Jacob (Madeline) Barnett, Megan (Chad) Beskange, Madeleine (Zac) Lynch, James Collias, Shelby Smiddy, Jon Smiddy, and great Grandfather to Nora Pomish, Everly and Ruby Wertheimer and Rowan Beskange. He is the dear brother to Konstantine (Cindy) Collias. He is the uncle to Stephen (Nancy) Collias, Anthony (Holly) Collias, and Christopher (Emily) Collias. Jim also had many cousins in the US, Canada and Greece.

Visitation will be held on Decemeber 12, 2020 at 3:30 PM until time of service 7:00 PM at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 32000 Schoenherr Road, at Masonic. Jim will be cremated and his cremated remains brought home to Kandyla, Greece.

In lieu of flowers, any donations made in James’ name to the Alzheimer's Association would be deeply appreciated.