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Bernard "Bernie" Collins
1935 - 2018

With great sadness, the family of Bernard "Bernie" Collins, late of Estevan, Sask. announces his passing at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask. on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the age of 82 years.

Bernie was born on June 18, 1935 in Regina, SK. He attended Campion College. He received his B.Ed from the University of Saskatchewan and his M.Sc in Educational Admin. from Northern State College in Bismark, North Dakota. He met his future wife, Delphine (Del) Fahlman, in high school and they were married in Regina. Bernie worked as an educator, starting his teaching career in 1960 in Kamsack, SK. He then taught in Regina, and then back to Kamsack before moving to Estevan, where he spent the remainder of his career as a teacher and principal. He was active on many boards in the community. His involvement with Estevan City Council spanned four decades (1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s). He served several terms as a city councilor and was the Mayor of Estevan from 1985 to 1988. He was elected to Parliament as a Liberal party candidate in the 1993 federal election and served in the 35th Canadian Parliament. He represented the federal riding of Souris-Moose Mountain from 1993 to 1997. Bernie was an avid sports enthusiast – coach, player and fan. When he no longer played, he became an avid sports fan and enjoyed cheering on his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bernie was an outdoor enthusiast, spending many hours hunting and fishing. His years in Kamsack led to his lifelong love of Madge Lake where Bernie and Del later bought a cabin, where he could often be found during the summer months, meeting friends for coffee, fishing and playing bridge. In recent years, Bernie spent his winters in Arizona. No matter where in the world he travelled, Bernie had a knack for bumping into a friend, colleague, or former student. No matter where he was you could count on Bernie going out for coffee with friends and finding a bridge game to play!

Bernie was predeceased by Del, his wife of 44 years; parents, Matthew and Annie May; infant son David and infant great granddaughter Zara; brothers, Michael, Gil and Father William and sisters, Delores and Mary Margaret. He is survived by eight children: Michael (Delaine); Carol (Lynnwood) and their four children: David (Amanda and their children Isla and Bennett), Amy (Michael), Michelle (Curtis and their sons Connor and Luke) and Matthew (MacKenzie); Neil (Barb) and their three children: Erin (Kirk and their sons Max and Cruz), Kathleen (Chad and their children Holt and Rory), Michael (Shenise); Gordon (Janet) and son Sam; Paul (Connie) and sons Jesse (Kenzie) and Jaime and their mother Lindsay Collins; Catherine (Marcos) and their daughter Isabella; Sean (Leane) and their four children: Liam, Kaelyn, Ainsley and Seamus; Carrie (Jason) and their sons: Ryan and Ty. Bernie is also survived by his sister Pat and brothers, Vincent, Alan, Martin and Glenn.

Prayers were said on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. and the Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Both were held at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Estevan, with Rev. Basil Chomos presiding. A luncheon in the parish auditorium followed the Funeral Mass, after which a family interment took place at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens.

Those wishing to make donations in Bernie's memory may do so directly to the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, 1176 Nicholson Road, Estevan, SK, S4A 0H3 or the New Estevan Regional Nursing Home, 1201 - 2nd Street, Estevan, SK, S4A 0M1.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.