Don Collins

Donald Patrick Collins (Don), 49, of Toronto, died Tuesday July 11, 2017, lovingly surrounded by family and friends at Toronto Western Hospital after suffering from a severe stroke. He was born on September 7, 1967 in Hamilton, the son of Donald and Catherine (Mac Neil) Collins.

After growing up in Burlington, Don studied engineering at Dalhousie before transferring to Architectural Studies at Carleton University during which time he spent a six-month exchange in Germany. Don enjoyed a diverse career working for several architectural and design firms in Burlington, Toronto (Quadrangle, II BY IV) and New York. He also started multiple ventures such as Spacecraft specializing in renovation, custom interior design, architectural design and 3D rendering.

Don had the ability to quickly master anything he set his mind to. With very limited sailing experience, Don and his cousin purchased a 32 foot sailboat, which Don learned to sail by reading a book. He enjoyed kiteboarding, hockey, hiking and portaging, making numerous outings with the Toronto Outdoor Club as well as a cherished annual family portage trip. In his limited spare time, he also enjoyed creating projects using his homemade CNC machine and observing astronomical events.

Don’s creative genius was only out-shadowed by his caring nature and generous heart. Despite an extremely busy schedule, Don always made time and used his considerable talent to help out friends and family. He had his own mission, but he actively searched for ways to help others in any way he could from using his truck to designing and building amazing custom projects. Recently, he helped his friend drive his boat from New York to Toronto. For his nieces, he designed and built indoor monkey bars with beautiful animal engravings. He was fiercely creative, put his heart and soul in everything he did and rarely compromised. Don was remarkably enthusiastic, funny and thoughtful whose only shortcoming was an inability to say “no”.

Don will be deeply missed by parents Donald B. Collins and Catherine Collins (Bobcaygeon); brother Bernie (Paula, Burlington); sister Darlene (Daniel, Greenwich, CT); beloved nieces and nephews, Kassandra, Kristofer, Kory, Sarah, Lauren and Sydney; large extended family and friends and by his partner Sarah Newkirk (Toronto) and her daughters Thea and Harriet.

A celebration of Don’s life with a service led by Peggy Chambers will be held on Saturday, July 15 from 1:30 – 4:00pm at the Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd. Arrangements for his cremation have been made with Modest Cremation. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Don’s memory be made to a charity of your choice.

Don’s family would like to thank his cousin and lifelong friend, John MacLean for his support and assistance following the stroke as well as Niall Clarke for his help in settling Don’s work affairs. Thank you to the staff in the Critical Care Unit at Toronto Western Hospital who were very supportive and accommodating.

As Don would say - “It’s made out of wood, metal and concrete, that’s it”