Colin 'Collie' Sparling, 76, of Sydney, N.S., passed away peacefully on Monday (July 22) at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Sydney, he was the son of the late George and Gertrude (Wall) Sparling, and predeceased by his sister, Darlene.
Collie dedicated his professional career to harness racing. His expert knowledge in this industry was far reaching. He worked in many places in Canada and had a deep love for the harness racing industry. He was a sports enthusiast, but a debilitating accident at age 15 left him as a spectator – he loved to watch all sports and was an amazing conversationalist about all sports history. His love of hockey led him to coaching and managing many hockey teams. One of his greatest achievements was winning the Nova Scotia Senior Provincial Championship in 1976 with the Glace Bay Colts. His continued relationship with many of these players 40 years later is a tribute to his character.
Later in life, he developed a passion for illustrating his historic harness racing knowledge through stories in book form, and added "novelist" to his repertoire. Collie was so proud of his book and the horsemen and the families he was able to elevate through his writings. Before his passing he was in the final stages of his sequel to the book to Back at the Track. He loved his family immensely and was the foundation for all to go to at times of difficulty and was incredibly giving and resourceful whenever anyone needed a helping hand. Collie was most proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Collie is survived by son Gary (Colleen O’Brien), Glace Bay; daughters Colleen (David) Shevsky, Charlotte, N.C.; and Heather (William Jennex) Sparling, Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.; sisters Joan (Ron), Donovan, Ont.; Korena (Ken) Hanson, Albert Bridge; Dolores Fifield, Sydney; and Carol Ann Sparling, Sydney; brothers George (Claire), Sydney; Roland (Joan), Ont.; John (Mary), Ont.; and Greg (Shirley), Sydney; grandchildren Ryan, Evan (Lori), Hannah, Thomas, Alexandra, Zachary, Colin (Shannon), Blaknee and Jenna; great-grandchildren Sawyer, Vander, Nash, Landon, Stryder, Breton, Oaklynn and Thomas; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins in whose lives he remained very active.
Visitation will take place Wednesday (July 24) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Thursday (July 25) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Sydney Memorial Chapel. A funeral mass will be held Friday (July 26) in Holy Redeemer Church at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Arthritis Society of Canada (arthritis.ca), 393 University Avenue, Suite 1700, Toronto, ON M5G 1E6.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of Collie Sparling.