The death of a native
of Simcoe in the person of James S. Collins, aged 71, occurred on
Saturday at the home of his cousins, Mrs. John R. McLeod, John Street.
For some months past Mr. Collins had been an invalid and last Tuesday he
suffered a stroke.
Deceased was born in a house
that was formerly on the site of the present Cold Storage property, the
son of Mr. and Mrs. William Collins. William and John Collins, the
father of whom was the father of Messrs. Irvine, Edward and Albert
Collins, were at one time the proprietors of furniture business
which later passed in the hands of Misner and Kendall, the shop being
where the present Post Office now stands.
James S. Collins was twice
married, the first wife being Miss Rachel Church of Otterville. To them
was born a daughter, Ethel. Both and daughter died many years ago. The
second wife was Miss Lillie E. Heath of Simcoe, and of this marriage, a
son, Cecil was born. Mrs. Collins and her son died about 13 years ago.
Deceased
bought out the men's furnishings store of William Perry, brother of Mrs.
A. P. Mackay, where Carter and Son now carry on a similar business,
selling out some years later. He spent some time in Michigan, and
returning to Simcoe, was for a long time on the staff of the H. S. Falls
store until he retired from active life some years since. His favorite
pastimes were gunning and fishing. He was a member of the Simcoe Baptist
Church.
The sole survivor
of Mr. Collins' immediate family is his sister, now Mrs. Wm. Creswell of
Lindsay, who reached his bedside in time to be recognized by him.
The
funeral was held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. McLeod at 2.30 Monday
afternoon, with Rev. F. H. Wentworth, assisted by Rev. A. B. Ferguson,
conducting the service. The bearers were Messrs. W. L. Innes, Harvey S.
Falls, George Luscombe, Albert Collins, George Awford and John Green.
Among those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs.
Creswell, a brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Church, and daughter of
Otterville, Mr. and Mrs. Atken of Otterville.
Interment
was made in Oakwood Cemetery.
