Duane Patrick Collins

It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Duane Collins, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the age of 51. Duane was the son of the late Floyd “Joe” and Patricia (MacNeil) Collins.

Duane was born on April 19, 1973.  Growing up in North Sydney, he had many brothers and sisters, as well as many good friends throughout his life.  He enjoyed fishing, harness racing and spending time at the track. Duane was also an avid Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

Duane is survived by his wife Kelly (Nicholson), his step-daughter Holly (Charles) Bennett, step-son Cody Nicholson, son Kyle Macdonald (Jessica) and granddaughters Saelor and Lily, grandsons Jacob, Myles and Marek. Duane is also survived by his siblings Blair, Charles “Joey” (Joyce Felix), Tanya (Bob French), Robert Collins, Dawn, Dana (Tracey), Trudy (Gerard Vickers), Todd (Shauna), Craig (Diane), Lee (Debbie McGuigan); father and mother-in-law Daniel and Theresa Nicholson; sisters-in-law Patricia Collins, Eileen Piercey and Verna (Paul) Fraser; a number of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.  Also left to mourn are Duane’s many special friends:  Darren Reid, Maureen Devoe, Paul Shepherd, Sharon Johnston, Ron Tremblett, Kelly Mills, John Gale, Stewart Shepherd and Joey and Pauline Penney.

Besides his parents, Duane was predeceased by his brother Glenn, special friend Elizabeth Jessome as well as maternal and paternal aunts and uncles.

Visitation for Duane will be held from 1-3 pm, Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  A funeral service will follow at 3 pm in the Funeral Home Chapel, with Deacon David Lewis officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorial donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice. Online condolences can be left for the family on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com.

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