John Collinson

John Joseph Collinson, 82, passed away on October 30, 2018, in Westminster from a broken heart after the loss of his beloved wife, Vera.  John was born on March 5, 1936, in Ranelagh, Ireland, to Joseph and Phoebe Collinson. He met Vera in Ireland and they immigrated to California on their honeymoon in 1957.  John was truly one of a kind.  From the silly names he would make up, the stories of his life, the songs he would sing, we’ll miss them all. John believed anything could be cured with whiskey and he was right half the time. He had the gift of hospitality and never knew a stranger. He spent his life helping animals. He's the man that would pick up the dog running across the street, take it in and care for it, young, old, didn't matter. He helped countless people down on their luck.  He was a proud, green card-carrying immigrant and never forgot where he came from or how hard it was to get here. He wanted a better life for his children than he had growing up in Ireland. He worked hard and he succeeded. He would tell you he had a great life, better than he ever dreamed of. He died just as he had wanted, peacefully in his home, surrounded by family and love.  A truly wonderful man who was Irish through and through, who loved his homeland immensely, but was forever grateful for the opportunity to forge a life in America.  We will miss you Dad but we are so happy that you are now doing an Irish Jig with Mom up in Heaven.  John is survived by his children–Jeane (Walter), Heather (David), David (Sandy) and Laura (Bob); grandchildren–Ryan (Annbriel), Patrick (Becca), Amber, Tyler, Kaylee, Jonathan, Emily, Isabella and Juliette; great-grandson–Liam; sister–Sheila; sister’s-in-law–Edna (Ray) and Pat (David); as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and his kitty “Ginger” who was lying with him on his bed as he took his last breath.  A memorial service will be held at All Saints’ Anglican Church, 18082 Bushard Street, Fountain Valley, on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 10:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, John would appreciate a donation to All Saints’ Anglican Church.

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