John Edgar James COLLINS

COLLINS, B/Gen (ret.) John Edgar James, OMM Loving husband of Mirandy; cherished father of Rev. Jim, Dr. David (Liz), Nancy (Jason) and Carol Collins; adored grandfather of Anna, Allison, Nikita & our late Brian Collins; great grandson to Oscar. John died peacefully at the age of 85. Born in Toronto & raised in Vancouver. John served in the merchant marines until 1941 when he became a RAF pilot and instructor. After the war John attained his B.A. at U.B.C.(Physics/Math) and met and married Mirandy. Engineering Masters(MIT/1958). John continued to serve Canada innovatively through the RCAF ; his distinguished career included serving as a Space Satellites Advisor (Dept. of National Defense), and on the Defense Science Advisory Board with passionate ideals & integrity. John served his community through his church, the Boy Scouts of Canada and his beloved country through CASI, Orbita and the Club of Rome. John loved animals and nature and was an accomplished nature photographer. He was very generous to his friends, family, and many charities. A celebration of John's life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12th, St. Richards, 8 Withrow, Ottawa, reception following. Donations to Brian Collins and Joah Atkinson Memorial Awards, c/o University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4; Kidney Foundation of Canada, 400C-1150 Morrison Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2H 8S9, St. Richards Outreach Committee, 8 Withrow Avenue, Nepean, ON, K2G 2H6 or charity of your choice with appreciation. Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 7/5/2008