Reginald "Barry" Collrin

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Reginald (Barry) Collrin announces his passing on Tuesday, March 27th, 2018 at Chelsey Park Nursing Home in London, Ontario.  Barry was a proud, loving, and dedicated father and grandfather who greatly adored his family; he never missed an opportunity to praise their accomplishments.
Born April 19, 1941 to Theodore James and Agnes Ann (Purcell) in Saint John, New Brunswick, Barry graduated from St. Malachy’s Memorial High School in Saint John before earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Thomas University in Fredericton. He dedicated more than thirty years to the St. Thomas Tommies hockey team, first as team manager, then as a scout. Many members of the Tommies community credited Barry with having a profound, lasting impact on their lives during their years at St. Thomas and beyond.

After graduating from St. Thomas, Barry served in a variety of social work roles within the New Brunswick civil service before moving to London, Ontario in 1976. Barry’s selfless dedication to pursuing social justice, and his support of at risk communities and individuals, was evident in how he approached life, and also demonstrated during his distinguished tenures at the Children’s Psychiatric Research Institute and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

Barry is lovingly remembered by his wife Deanna (MacKay) and son Tony Kirk Collrin (Anelise) of London, ON; daughter Alison Collrin (Scott) of Oakville, ON; grandchildren Jack, Everett and Elle; sister Susan Collrin of Coquitlam, BC; brother Christopher of Saint John and sisters-in-law Audrey Collrin (Teddy), Mavis O’Donnell (Fred), Elaine MacKay and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers, Mark and Teddy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Saint John on Thursday May 31, 2018 at 11:00am. Interment to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 327 Westmorland Road. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barry’s name to CNIB or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. 
 

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