May 15, 1946 - May 10, 2020
Al (Pat) Collins beloved husband, father, and grandfather (Papa) passed away May 10th surrounded with the love of his family at the age of 73. Al passed away due to complications of long-standing heart failure of 17 years.
His death was not COVID related.
Al was born in Calgary and grew up in Bowness where he made many life long friends. Al had a love, at an early age, for livestock and agriculture, and spent summers helping out on a family friend’s farm (John Robinson) in the Jumping Pound area. During his teenage years he also worked at Safeway, and after graduation worked for CPR at the Alyth yards for a short time and then started at Burns, where his interest in agriculture grew. In the fall of ‘65 he attended Olds College & studied Animal Husbandry. He made many life long friends at Olds College which resulted in a 4-month trip of a lifetime with 9 other young men and the dean, Robin Warrington, to the Tahitian Islands in 1967.
After graduating from Olds College, he started working at the Calgary Stockyards as a general labourer with the hopes of becoming a cattle buyer. In September ‘67 he was hired back with Burns and in the spring of ‘68, he was given an opportunity to buy cattle at the Fort MacLeod Auction Market, where his life long career began as a well-respected cattle buyer. Throughout his career, Al bought cattle for Burns, Dvorkins, Centennial, XL Beef and JBS. Al was the longest serving salaried buyer in Canada and was acknowledged as one of the most well respected and trusted live cattle buyers in the industry.
Along with cattle, Al had a long-standing love for the Calgary Stampede.
He was a dedicated 31-year volunteer who served on the Livestock Auctioneer and Rodeo Committees. Al was to be recognized this spring as a Calgary Stampede Life Member. In 2018, Al was honoured as the Range Man of the year by the Old Time Range Men’s Association. He was quite surprised and delighted to receive this recognition.
Al spent most of his life on the farm with his wife of 43 years and his four daughters. His love of cattle and agriculture continued on the farm, where
they raised a small commercial herd and enjoyed the country lifestyle with his family. Al loved his cows so much and continued to feed them right up until the end.
Al was a character and was known for his kindness, story telling, and love for a cold beer. He had knack for remembering everyone he met and their names. He always had time for a chat no matter who you were. He brought smiles and laughter to everyone he encountered and was considered a good friend to many.
Al was pre deceased by his mother Marjorie in 1998 and his father Pat in 2003.
Al is survived by his loving wife, Jo-Ann and his four daughters Kathryn (Jason), grandsons Jonah, Jasper and Micah; Alison (Giuseppe), grandson Francesco; Karen (Manuel) grandson Ronan; Carla (Tyrel) grandchildren Gus and Collins.
He is also is survived by his uncle Neal Collins and cousins: Jody Deck (Dwayne) and family, Murray Collins (Gloria), Nancy Christophersen; Lee Ann Jennings (Wes) and family; and Linda Johnson (Arnie) and Donald Belway (Connie) whom he embraced as siblings.
Al touched many lives and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
A special thanks to Dr. Mike Slawnych and Rachel Michaud at the Cardiac Function Clinic at SHC, Dr. Richard Ansell and Matt at Remedy’s RX Pharmacy for all of their care and support.
A private funeral mass was held at St. James Catholic Church with interment at the Catholic Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a later date due to COVID.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Al’s favorite charity, The Salvation Army High River, PO Box 1610 Stn M Calgary AB T2P 2L7. To email condolences please visit www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, Okotoks. (403-938-3111)
