Floyd "Joe" Francis Collins

Floyd “Joe” Collins

North Sydney

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts, we the family regret to announce the sudden passing of our father, Poppy, brother and uncle, Floyd Francis “Joe” Collins, age 84, on Sunday, December 3, 2017.

Born in North Sydney on October 31, 1933, Joe was the son of the late Wilson and Elizabeth (Cleary) Collins.  Joe owned and operated Collins Trucking for over 30 years.  He was a Veteran with the Canadian Armed Forces from 1957-1965 serving in Gagetown, Germany and Cypress with the 8th Canadian Hussars, Princess Louise Infantry. Joe was a well-known and talented goalie with the Northside Junior Franklins and continued to play while serving in the army.  He was inducted into the Cape Breton Sports Hall of Fame and the Northside Sports Hall of Fame.  He was active in Northside Minor Hockey as a coach and sponsor for many years.  Joe’s other sport interest was harness racing, as owner and driving the starting gate at Tartan Downs.  He was a member of United States Trotting Association and the Standard Breed Canada.        

He was also a member of Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 8, Sydney Mines, Knights of Columbus, Rotary and Kinsmen Clubs of North Sydney.  Joe was a big supporter of the Cape Breton Shriners Club.  He was a member of St. Joseph Church, North Sydney.

He was affectionately known by his family as Poppy Joe, Poppa Smurf (CB Radio) and Poppy Ya Ya!  He was rarely seen without a cigar, he will be greatly missed.

Joe married the love of his life, Patricia Jane McNeil on June 2, 1953 and together they had 12 children; Glenn (Patricia), Blair (Jennifer), Charles (Joyce), Tanya (Bob), Robert, Craig (Diane), Lee (Debbie), Dana (Tracey), Dawn, Trudy (Gerard), Duane (Kelly) and Todd (Shauna).  Affectionately known as Poppy Joe to his 30 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild and his special daughters-in-law Eileen Piercey and Cheryl Jessome.  Also surviving is his sister Marion Gouthro, his brother Howie Collins, brother-in-law Roy (Janet) MacNeil, sisters-in-law Yvonne Collins, Mary Witherall, Rosann Gillis, Eva McNeil, Lynn (Carl) Pottie, Evelyn McNeil, Mary Steele-Boston, many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Joe was predeceased by his wife Patricia in 2010, his brothers Martin, Wilson “Jeep”, his father and mother-in-law Charles & Eva (Roy) McNeil, brothers-in-law Frank Gouthro, Charles “Dobbie” McNeil, Bill Witherall, Howard Gillis, Harvey Wall, sisters-in-law Frances Collins, Dorothy Collins, Maureen Collins, Elaine Wall and his nephew Darren McNeil.

The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Hickey and the Northside Homemakers Society for the care and compassion given to Joe over the years.

Visitation for Joe will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Patrick O’Neill officiating.  Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.  Memorial donations may be made to the Cape Breton Shriners or a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.

“Sweet dreams Poppy Ya Ya! Later  

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