Nicholas Collins

Nick used his sharp intellect and endless creativity to keep his family and many friends constantly entertained. He never backed away from questioning the status quo and refused to let majority opinion dictate his own ideas and beliefs. A conversation with Nick could last for hours and could be as enlightening and thought-provoking as it was hilarious.

Nick made you laugh and made you think. His dry humor and sarcasm was always there. He freely offered insightful advice based on his life experiences and faith in Jesus. More than anything, he accepted everyone he met – no matter who they were. For that reason, he was loved by many.

Nick was a lifeguard and fitness trainer at the YMCA in Shoreline where he befriended many of the staff and used his instinctive compassion to help others in their times of need. Nick completed his home school education through Connections in 2010. During the 2010-11 academic year, he attended Shoreline Community College through the Running Start program. He attended Western Washington University during the 2011-12 academic year and was a resident at Nash Hall where he was known as “psycho-analysis Nick.”

Nick was a respected coach for Quiz Team, was on staff at Camp Big Horn in Montana for one summer, attended Paradox Bible Church in the Seattle U-District, often enjoyed composing and producing music, was a frequent customer of the Shoreline Subway sandwich shop, and was the manliest ever flower-girl at his brother’s wedding in 2010. Nick also held the titles of Water-Bucket Warrior and King of the Mudpit and was the subject of the 2012 mini-documentary “Interview with a Nick-Head.”

Nick was born in Seattle on July 20, 1992. He is survived by his parents, Chuck and Judy Collins; three brothers, Chris, 29, Trevor, 27, and his wife, Cindy, and Justin, 17; his girlfriend, Carlee Takizawa; his maternal grandmother Marge Leger, and paternal grandparents Doug and Joy Storey. He is loved by a raging horde of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

There will be a public viewing on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Purdy and Walters at Floral Hills at 409 Filbert Road in Lynnwood. The celebration of life memorial service will be on Friday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m. at Berean Bible Church in Shoreline. A reception will follow the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West African Vocational Schools, a non-profit Christian organization directed by his oldest brother, Chris. Nick always wanted to see the work WAVS is doing in Guinea-Bissau, Africa, but hadn’t had the chance to get there. Donations by check can be mailed to P.O. Box 25455, Seattle, WA 98165. Online donations can be made at www.WAVSchools.org.