On Tuesday, March 31, well known blacksmith Earl Collins, 84, of Millbrook, Ont., passed away suddenly in Peterborough, Ont.
Earl will be forever missed by his loving wife, Joan, of 61 years; his sons Robert and his wife Leslie, Brian and his wife Cindy. Forever in the hearts of his grandchildren, Lorian, Lyndsay (Murphy) Leigh Anne, Jessica, Garry (Crystal) Edy and David; and his great grandchildren Creighton, Lily, Finn and Lola. Earl will also be sorely missed by many other friends and family members.
Earl was a respected blacksmith who travelled near and far for his trade. In his truck, along with his tools, he kept a fishing rod for those "in case I come across a stream" kind of days.
After retiring from his farrier duties at Kawartha Downs, Earl was an ever present symbol in the grandstand and never missed a race day, entertaining all with his jokes and stories. If you didn’t know Earl when you got there, you certainly knew him when you left.
Earl’s passing will leave a hole in the hearts of all of those he has touched.
A celebration of life will be held May 31st at the Royal Canadian Legion Peterborough Branch 52, 1550 Lansdowne Street West (across from Holiday Ford) from 1-4 p.m.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Earl Collins.
Whenever I would go to KD, I
Whenever I would go to KD, I would love to talk with Earl. He was always there to shake your hand. Wonderful guy. His life should be celebrated. We could all be a bit more like Earl.
Georg Leber-ICR Racing
My condolences to the Collins
My condolences to the Collins family. Upon returning from Alberta he was one of the first to say hello to me at Kawartha Downs. Earl will certainly be missed as he never passed by without saying hello!
Chuck Ibey
Our deepest sympathies to
Our deepest sympathies to Joan, Brian, Cindy and family. Earl always had a story or joke to tell. He shod for us years ago and his favorite trick was to partially cool the corked horseshoes and when someone came into the barn he asked them to hand him a shoe, they immediately dropped it and Earl would ask :"is it too heavy for you ? "
He will be missed at Kawartha and I hope I see a memorial race this summer in his honour.
The Snowdens
My deepest sympathies to Joan
My deepest sympathies to Joan and family a great guy who will be missed by all. Earl could always make you smile even if you heard some of his jokes before a real character just what I like most about the horse racing community.
R.I.P. Earl
Earl was a very friendly man
Earl was a very friendly man who always had a smile and a story (or two) for me. I hadn't seen him in years but I smile immediately when I think of Earl and the stories he told while shoeing our horses. R.I.P. Earl... you'll be missed.