Please Click on photo to enlarge!

On day in 1944 dad brought home a wash tub full of lobsters. My eyes were popping as I stared at the live lobsters in the washtub. There were about two dozen lobsters and I recall dad telling us that he paid $ 10. for the lobsters.

Mom would drop a few lobsters into a boiling pot and I was amazed how the lobsters changed from a green color to a bright red color after they were boiled. Since those days I have never tasted lobsters so delicious.

Dad worked for several years as a fisherman on the fishing boats at that time and he often brought home fresh sea fish. Mom would bake or fry the fish and we had many a fine fish meal in those days.

Dad also worked for at least five or more years as a freight handler on the cargo ships that loaded and unloaded their cargo on the Halifax piers. Dad belonged to the Maritime Freight Handlers Union and after being a member for the first few years he was able to obtain a rather low number. He would report to the docks in the early mornings and wait for the announcement of the numbering system. I believe his number was somewhere in the thirties and there often would be several hunderd men hoping to get employed every day. There was often not enough work for all the men to be employed. Some days dad would come home in the morning to tell us that he did not get hired that day. I remember admiring dad for his efforts and for the freight handling work he did. It was very physical activity and not easy work.

Dad had a very close friend by the name of Al Hornet. He was a fisherman who was often out to sea on his fishing boat. We called him Uncle Al and he was a very kind, gentle and loving man. I loved it when Al would come to stay with us at Christmas time.

I remember one dinner meal when Al was staying with us for a few days. The family were all seated around the dinner table with Al sitting next to dad. Mom came out of the kitchen carrying a huge caserol of baked beans. Mom intended to serve the beans by holding the caserol while each person in turn would use a large spoon to scoop beans from the caserol bowl onto their plate. Mom placed the bowl in front of Al and he took the caserol bowl and placed it on the top of his plate and began to eat from the caserol. I remember Ron looking at me with a surprised look. Mom motioned to us not to say anything. She quietly went back into the kitchen and brought out another caserol of beans. We had plenty to eat with the beans and mom's baked bread. We were surprised also that Al ate all the beans that were in the caserol.

One day dad came home with sad news. Al had been walking the plank way to board his fishing boat and he feel into Halifax harbour and drowned. That was a sad day for all of us.

In 1946 dad decided to build a second story onto our house. Almost by himself with a few neighbors dad proceeded to build the addition to the house. I remember Ron diligently with painstaking effort assisting dad in doing so. I helped a little but most of the time I was off playing. The second story was added onto the house which included four bedrooms and a bathroom.

The house was build on solid granite rock and dad and Ron and I did the impossible. It did not have a basement; it was all solid rock. We spent days and months hand drilling holes into the rock in an effort to remove it. It often took several hours to hand drill one hole into the rock. The hole would be about one and one half inch in diameter and about six inches deep. We would hold the drill in place in one hand and hit the drill with a large hammer to make the hole in the rock. Today rock drilling is done by an electric drill. It would certainly not be done the way we did it.

After many hours of drilling dad would place a stick of dynamite into the hole drilled and blast away the rock. Dad made sure everyone was out of the house in case the house blew up. I thought at the time that it might blow up from the blast. After the dynamite blast split the rock into smaller pieces dad and Ron and I would go back into the basement to cart out all the broken rock. This went on for several years. Ron was always there working along dad's side. I was hardly ever there and I always thought it wonderful how Ron helped dad with this project.

One day I had a friend visiting and he asked me;
"Walter, what are all those big rocks during next to your house?" There was literally tons of broken boulders in the vacant lot which adjoined our house.

I recall about that time dad answered a knock on the door. He opened the door and talked with a neighbor for a few minutes. We listened and heard the neighbor telling dad that a black family was moving into the neighborhood (at that time there were no black people in the neighborhood). The neighbor wanted dad to sign a petition in an effort to exclude the black family from moving into the neighborhood. We listened intently to what dad had to say. He told the neighbor that he would not sign as he felt the black family were entitled to live in the neighborhood.

After the neighbor left dad delivered a few words to Ron and I that made me feel very proud of him. He told us that the black family had every right to move into the neighborhood, that they were God's children like us. The black family did move into the neighborhood and Ron and I became friends with the boys.

For several years in the late 1940's Mom and Dad attended Fairview United Church on Dutch Village Road near the Armdale Rotary Circle. This was during the time prior to their involvement with the Salvation Army. Mom and Dad would go to the Sunday Church sessions on Sunday mornings and attend the evening church meetings in the evenings. Ron and I would go with them and we would attend the Sunday School sessions in the meeting room at the church on Sunday mornings and attend the Sunday evening church meetings with our parents. Ron and I spent many a Sunday morning attending the Sunday School meetings.

Skipping ahead some thirty-five years to April, 1984 I was visiting Halifax in celebration of dad's 80th birthday. While there my sister Marilyn Blendheim and her husband Peter invited me to be the guest speaker on a Saturday evening at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and they brought Dad along with them. The AA meeting was held in the very room at the Fairview United Church where I attended many Sunday School sessions thirty-five years before. During my AA talk I felt proud to mention this fact to the fourty or so people attending the meeting.

As I was speaking Dad stood up from his chair and as he did so I remained quiet for a moment. Dad spoke for a few moments quite simply and spoke of how proud he was of me. I only wish I could recall his exact words. Then he quietly sat down.

After the meeting people came up to me expressing their sincere thoughts on "the wonderful words spoken" by dad.

I felt very proud of Dad at the time and the memory of that event will live with me forever.

In 1988 I lived in Samon Arm, British Columbia. In April I went to Halifax to be with dad to celebrate his 84th birthday on April 14th. A few days later I returned back home to Salmon Arm. At that time dad was not well and had to be admitted to the hospital several weeks later.

In early May I decided to return to Halifax in August to attend an AA Conference. I phoned dad who was in the hospital and told him I was coming back home in August. I had to slowly repeat it several times to dad because his thinking at that time was not too clear. He came back with the following reply.

"Walter, my son, I will be here in August to see you."

I replied, "O.K. Dad, I will see you then."

A few days later my brother Ron phoned me and asked me what I had said to dad and I told Ron what I discussed with dad.

Ron told me dad had made a remarkable recovery and had returned home from the hospital.

I returned to Halifax in August and spent a few wonderful days with dad. Then I returned back home to Salmon Arm. A few days later at the end of August dad passed away. I knew that he had waited for my return in August before he left. What a wonderful gift he bestowed on me.

"Thank you Dad" Your loving son Walter.

CHAPTER 8

STORIES OF ANNIE GRACE COLLINS - by Walter E Collins

One of the places mom and dad would take us as children was to the Halifax Public Gardens. I remember how much mom loved to go there. She would often expound on the beauty of the flowers and the surroundings. We would often go there on Sunday evenings to listen to the concerts and music and the bands playing at the bandstand.

Another place mom loved to go and we were taken to as children was the slopes of Citadel Hill. We would often picnic on the slopes and I loved to play there with Ron and sit on the grass to enjoy a wonderful picnic with the family.

One warm summer early evening in 1944 I wandered into a church near our home on Argyle Street where a church service was just beginning. I sat in a pew alone at the back of the church. What I remembered most were the stained-glass windows and the organ playing. The service ended and I walked home.

When I arrived back home dad asked me where I had been. I told him I went into the church and stayed for the service. I remember my mother saying to dad,
"George, he is telling the truth. It is 10 past 8 and the service ended at 8. The next week mom took me to the church as we attended the service together. I remember the proud feeling I had while sitting in the pew beside my mother. That church was St Paul's Anglican Church. It was built in 1750 and was the first church in Halifax.

I recall the Church Rummage Sales that mom went to in 1944. Ron and I would tag along with her. Oftentimes we would stand outside the church in line with a group of people, mostly women, waiting for the Church Hall to open at 9 A.M. when the door opened everyone would rush inside where clothing was placed on tables. The people would purchase clothing articles for ten or fifteen cents each.

I remember an occasion when mom held a clothing article in her hands and another lady grabbed it from her abruptly. Mom told the lady she she intended to purchase the article. When the other lady got defensive mom replied, "That's all right my dear, you can have it." My thought at the time was of how considerate and kind mom was to the other lady.

During the war years mom often attended rummage sales to provide clothing for us children.

In 1945 we moved from 58 Hollis Street, downtown Halifax to 8 Fairview Avenue, Kline Heights. When we moved into the house there was no running water and we had an artisian well under the house which provided excellent drinking water. There was a water pump in the kitchen which we would use to get water from the well below.

Mom would ask Ron or I to draw some water from the pump for cooking or drinking purposes. I found it exciting when I used the pump to get water. I would pump the handle several times to prime the pump before water came out. Priming the pump restored the water pressure causing the water to flow.

In summer the well would often go dry and there would be no water available. We then would walk to the community spring which was about 1/4 mile away with buckets to get water. I would often carry a full bucket of water in each hand stopping to rest along the way.

When we moved into the house we did not have an elctric clothes washer. Mom used a washboard and tub to wash clothes. I remember mom scrubbing the clothes on the washboard and dipping them into the tub. Mom would hang the clothes on several clothes lines in the back yard. I remember how white the bed sheets were and how clean and fresh all the clothes were after they were dried in the sun. The clothes on the line can be seen in the backyard in the 1945 photo of the Collins House 1945 & 1948

Also in the blown-up 1945 photo mom can be seen standing on the verandra with her hair in curlers. It was custom for women to have their hair in curlers at that time.

I remember my tenth birthday in 1947. For several weeks prior to my birthday I wanted a certain bicycle that cost $ 12. I keep picturing myself riding the bicycle and I recall mentioned to mother on one occasion that I would like the bicycle. Several days before my birthday I overheard mom and dad talking in their bedroom at night. I heard mom mention to dad that I wanted the bicycle and that the costs was $ 12. I heard them make the decision to get me the bicycle. On my birthday I went outside and the bicycle was there with a blue ribbon on it with a "happy birthday Walter" card attached to it.

Mom and dad would often lie in bed at night and discuss finances. With a big family they often did not have the time to do so during the day. I found comfort listening to them discuss money matters. I know they had to budget and spend money wisely.

Mom and dad always managed to pay their bills on time. I recall one day mom saying to Ron and I,
"Boys, be good to your dad when he gets home. He has gone to the doctor's office to pay $ 100. on a medical bill."

I remember how mom would prepare a written grocery list and phone in her grocery order to the Co-op Grocery store. At that time we had ten or twelve people living in the house and the costs of one week's groceries for all those people would often come to around $ 20. When the groceries were delivered or when we picked them up at the store, I was amazed how many bags of groceries there were.

One Friday afternoon I went to Marriot's Grocery Store with mom and she bought some meat at the meat counter. In those days it was customary not to eat meat on Fridays and mom would usually prepare fish for the Friday meal. The girl behind the counter made a comment to mom.
"Mrs Collins, you're not going to eat meat on a Friday?"
Mother's immediate reply was
"My Dear, what goes into your stomach will not hurt your soul."
I remember thinking at the time that mom's response was perfect.

Mom often addressed people with the endearing words, "My Dear". I would often hear her include those two words when she spoke to any of her children as well as when she spoke to any other person.
In addition, mom would often repeat herself. For example, she would say, "Suppers ready, my dear, suppers ready."

Another phrase mom would often say was "Sing out". For example, "Sing out if you want something" "Sing out when you are ready". I often thought that these were delightful and wonderful ways of mom expressing herself.

Mom was always doing a lot of baking. She made batches of home-made bread and plenty of wonderful desserts. Her cooking was always delicious and wholesome food.

Many warm summer evenings Ron and I would go blue berry picking near the ballfield and sometimes our sisters Jeanette, Vivian, Marilyn, Linda would come along. Mom would use the blueberries to bake wonderful blueberry pie. She also made blueberry tarts and blueberry muffins that were delicious. In winter Ron and I would bring home wild rabbits that we snared. Mom would skin the rabbits and make rabbit stew. I loved the taste of that rabbit stew. I have never tasted better stew since those days.

Ron took great care in making rabbit foot key chains similiar to the one pictured below. He would always keep one with him as did I and he would give them to friends.

One day when I went alone to check my rabbit snares I found I had snared a large bird. When I saw the bird in the snare I did not know what it was. So I took it home and mom knew right away that it was a partridge. She made partridge stew with the bird and we enjoyed another fine meal.

The dinner setting at the table usually consisted of ten places with four on either side and one at each end of the table. Mom would sit at the head of the table nearest the kitchen. This would make it easy for her in serving the food from the kitchen. I would always sit to the left of mom and Ron would sit to the left of me. The girls Jeanette, Vivian, Marilyn and Linda would sit on the opposite side of the table with Jeanette sitting to mom's right. Of course, dad would sit at the other end of the table.

For our dental needs mom arranged for us children to visit Dalhousie University - Faculty of Dentistry in Halifax where dental services was provided at low costs. I remember when I went to the dentist mom would give me four dollars and that would pay for one tooth filling.

One day I left home in Kline Heights on my bicycle to go to the dentist. As I was peddling the bicycle the chain suddenly came of the bike. I became a little scared knowing there was a steep downhill ahead. In my attempt to stop the bike I steered it into the nearby bushes. The front tire hit a tree and I flew over the handlebars of the bike into the bushes. I had several cuts on my face and bruises on my knees. I got up and secured the chain back on the bike and returned back home. Mom patched me up and I left home once again and finally arrived at the dentist office.

Mom was an excellent 'healer'. She always knew exactly what to do when one of us children got injured or hurt. She used natural methods of healing and never resorted to drugs or perscriptions.

In August 1964 I was living in Calgary, Alberta with my family, my wife Doris and children June and Jim. Mom came to visit us for several weeks and we had a great time on a travel trip through Alberta and parts of British Columbia. Below is a photo of mom and I standing by our home at 629 - 54 Ave, S.W. and we were on our way to attend a Church service.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

In the summer of 1967 while I was stationed in Edmonton, Alberta, I was on the Alberta Military Golf Team and we travelled to Green Gables, Prince Edward Island for a one week golf tournament. We were staying at the military base at Summerside. During that week my sister Linda brought mom and dad to Summerside where they stayed at a motel for several days and I was able to visit with them in the evenings. This visit was one of the most happiest and memorable moments of my life. The four of us together in a small motel room talking about the times when I lived at home.

In July 1970 prior to mom's passing she was ill in the hospital for several weeks. At that time I was living in Calgary, Alberta and my brother Bill in Germany. We both took leave from the military to visit with mom. As I arrived one day at the hospital to visit mom one of the nurses at the nursing station spoke to me.
"Your mother is amazing. Last night we found her walking down the hallway and we had no idea how she got out of her bed." Mom had been unable to walk for several days and was confined to bed with the railings on the side to protect her from falling out of bed. They had to carry her back and place her back into bed.

Bill and I got to visit mom in the hospital every day for one week. Then we had to leave Halifax one week prior to mom's passing. Unbeknown to us beforehand, we were scheduled to take the same military phone leaving Halifax. The plane took us to Trenton, Ontario where Bill boarded a connecting flight back to Germany and I boarded a flight to Calgary. We were able to sit together during the flight from Halifax to Trenton.

Below is a photo of Bill and I with Michael Bell (Vivian's son) during that trip to Halifax.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

CHAPTER 9

FAMILY COMMENTS on ANNIE GRACE COLLINS

(Tim Patterson wrote):
Hi Uncle Walter, It's great to connect with you on facebook. I really enjoyed your website in honour of Grandma.
It was really cool to see the family tree all in one place.
love and best wishes, Tim
August 18, 2010

(June Kurz wrote):
Hi Wally, just took a look at the tribute page for your Mom - you did a great job! She would be very proud.
I can still taste her corn chowder....Best I have ever had. She gave wonderful hugs too - take care and I'll call you over the Labor Day weekend,
August 22, 2010

(Walter Collins replied)
Hi June; I forgot about the corn chowder. I do remember the time mom answered the phone when a boy called you and you did not want to talk to him. You asked mom to tell him you were in the bathtub. Mom replied to you that she could not tell a lie. Then you stepped in the bathtub fully clothed and mom told the boy you were in the bathtub. A wonderful memory. Take Care. Wally
August 22, 2010

(Timothy Bell wrote)
Hi Uncle Walter, Thanks. The website that you did for Nan was an awesome tribute to a great woman.
I think about her all the time, she was a huge influence on my life as I'm sure all of us.
Talk to you soon. Tim
August 22, 2010

(Susan Delhaise wrote)
I don't believe I tasted her corn chowder as we moved back to Halifax when Nanny was sick.
She was a wonderful caring person and I will never forget when she made me a Nova Scotia Tartan skirt.
When she was sick she gave me a necklace and I wore it playing in the back woods and lost it in the frog pond.
I was so upset and never told her."
August 26, 2010

CHAPTER 10

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT MOM - by Vivian Collins Bell

Please Click on Photo to enlarge!

I grew up in a loving Christian home and was the fifth of eight children. We were taught good morals and values and required to attend Sunday school and a group for young girls at the church we attended. One thing I always remembered was that Mom frequently said, "If you don't have anything good to say about a person then don't say anything." Mom was a very kind and generous person, one who really cared for people. When her sister passed away Mom took my cousin, Annette, to live with us until she was able to be out on her own.

Mom was an excellent cook, and even with feeding ten people there was never a shortage of food. She was very creative and loved to sew, knit and crochet some very nice articles of clothing for us and later on for her grandchildren.

When I returned from Toronto about five months before Mom's death, I had the privilege along with Dad of being a caregiver for Mom. I realized even more what a wonderful woman of faith and grace that she was despite all her suffering. I will always treasure that very precious time spent with my mother.

I am looking forward to being united with Mom in heaven one day.

CHAPTER 11

MY MOTHER, ANNIE GRACE COLLINS - by Linda Collins Patterson

Mother & Linda July 1959
Please Click on Photo to enlarge!

As the youngest of eight children I had a very close, loving relationship with my mother. One of my earliest memories is of the two of us travelling to Newfoundland on the ship the William Carson when I was only three years old.

Mom was a kind, caring Christian woman. She was also a woman of wisdom and grace. She endured some hardships in raising her family including the death of her seventh child, my brother Wilfred, who died at the age of four through difficult circumstances.

She was a good cook and loved to bake and take care of the needs of her household. Often she would share meals with less fortunate neighbors.

Mom loved people and we had several foster children living with us when I was about 11 yrs old. I know living in our home made an imprint on their young lives.

I remember the pretty smocked dresses and the Mary Maxim patterned sweaters she knit for me. I had a very happy childhood and always felt loved and protected. It is wonderful to know that my Christian faith means that I will be united with my precious Mother in Heaven for all of eternity.

CHAPTER 12

ANNIE GRACE EASTMAN COLLINS - a Published Tribute

A TRIBUTE published in the page of
a Halifax Newspaper
Halifax, N. S.
July 18, 1970

Entered Into Eternal Rest Friday, July 17, 1970

MRS ANNIE COLLINS, 59, of 8 Fairview Avenue, Halifax, died Friday at the Halifax Infirmary. Born in Newfoundland she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Eastman.

She is survived by her husband, George, four daughters: Jeanette (Mrs Joseph Bowers), Hatchett Lake; Vivian (Mrs Bell), Halifax; Marilyn (Mrs Peter Blindheim, Fairview; Linda, Toronto; three sons; William, Germany; Walter, Calgary; Ronald, Rockingham; two brothers, William Eastman,\; James Eastman, Nfld; two sisters; Mrs Roy Bowdridge, Halifax; Mrs Otto Hart, Clarenville, Nfld, and 16 grandchildren.

The body is at Cruikshanks Funeral Home, Robie Street. Funeral services will be at the Salvation Army Citadel, Withrod Drive, Armdale at 10 a.m. Tuesday, with Capt E. Cuff officiating. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery.

CHAPTER 13

STORIES OF UNCLE ED COLLINS - by Walter E Collins

One day when Uncle Ed was visiting us mom prepared a pot of tea. After serving the tea mom left the room for awhile. Uncle Ed finished drinking his cup of tea and responded to Bill; "pour me a drop of tea Bill". Bill removed the teapot from the stove and very carefully poured a small drop of tea into Uncle Ed's cup. To this day I can still recall the look of surprise on Uncle Ed's face. After a moment Uncle Ed burst into laughter and commented to Bill on what a wonderful thought to have poured one small drop of tea.

In 1947 our Uncle Ed owned a Model T Ford car known as "the Tin Lizzie". One day he came to the house with the car and asked Ron and I if we would like to go for a ride. We happily accepted the invitation right away. Uncle Ed explained to us that he had been driving along Herring Cove Road the day before and it was getting dark when one of the rear wheels came off the car and rolled into the bushes. He explained that it was too dark then to look for the wheel so he put on the spare wheel and returned home. Uncle Ed drove to the spot and I remember Uncle Ed, Ron and I searching for the wheel. After about half an hour of searching Ron found the wheel.

Here is an exact photo similar to Uncle Ed's Model T Tin Lizzie

CHAPTER 14

STORIES OF WILLIAM GEORGE COLLINS - by Walter E Collins

William George Collins
Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Below is a photo of six Collins siblings in 1947

rear left to right Bill, Ron, Walter
front left to right Jeanette, Vivian, Marilyn

The XYZ Club - In the back yard of our home stood a rather large high loft barn.
The barn can be seen behind the house in the 1946 photo of the Collins House 1946 & 1948

In the loft in the rear right side of the barn brother Bill built a structure about five square feet and five ir six feet high. There was a ladder there to climb up into this small room area. I remember Bill established a rule that no one was to enter the structure unless they were a member of the XYZ Club. Ron and I were immediately accepted as members and I do not recall if anyone else was ever a member. There was also a hammock set up in the barn and Ron and I used to enjoy taking turns lying in the hammock.

Bill left home in 1949 to sail the world on a ship. I believe he lied about his age in order to get the job. I recall how excited I was when Bill would come home for a few days when his ship returned back to Halifax. He would often give us children a few quarters each which seemed like a lot of money to me in those days. I recall one day when his ship was in port at Portland, Oregon and he phoned home. I recall talking to him on the phone and thinking that Portland must have been half way around the world. Bill began learning his trade while at sea and went on to become a master cook and pastery chef.

Shortly after we moved into the house Dad installed a coal burning stove in the basement to heat the home during the cold winter months. Every fall dad would order a load of coal and it would be dumped through a small ground level window into the basement. The coal would be stored in the basement in the front right hand side. A coal shoot was placed on the back of the truck and the coal would ride down the shoot into the basement. We would feed the coal into the stove through the furnace door which was latched when the coal burned in the furnace. The following photo is of a shovel similiar to the one we used to shovel the coal into the furnace.

We also had a poker to stir the coals and a steel bucket container to place the ashes in after the coal was burned in the furnace. The coal would burn for a long time in the furnace and the heat was suppliedto each room in the house through the ducts. There was at least one register in each room which could be set on the opened or closed positions.

I recall one day when Bill was fourteen or fifteen years old. He came home late one night and found the back door had been locked. He did not want to awaken anyone in the house so he decided to climb through the window into the basement. As he climbed through the window he fell into the pile of coal and his clothes were very dirty from his "roll in the coal". Mom and Dad, Bill, Ron and I laughed over recalling this incident for many years.

In 1957 and 1958 I was stationed at RCAF Base at Clinton, Ontario and Bill was stationed at the army base at Camp Borden, Ontario. During that time I visited with Bill and his wife Janice on several occasions when they lived at Creemore, Ontario, near Camp Borden.

At that time Bill was driving a 1955 Nash Metropolitan similiar to the one shown in the photo below.

The Nash Metropolitan was a small car with two seats and a small space behind the seats. When Bill, Janice and I rode in the car I usually sat squeezed in behind the seats. We took one trip from Creemore to Barberton, Ohio to visit Janice's family. During that trip Janice and I took turns sitting in the small space behind the seats. I loved riding in that small car.

A day that I will always remember was one where my brother Bill and I spent most of the day together. We were celebrating a special event in the life of both of us. We had a few drinks (beer) and I smoked one cigar. That was the first and last cigar I ever smoked. I did not feel well the next day because of that smoked cigar, but it was worth it. That special day was August 30th 1958 and Bill was celebrating the arrival of his first child Walter and I was celebrating the arrival of my first Nephew. I shall never forget Bill's expressions of happiness and joy. I shall never forget that special day in both of our lives.

In July 1970 prior to mom's passing she was ill in the hospital for several weeks. At that time I was living in Calgary, Alberta and my brother Bill in Germany. We both took leave from the military to visit with mom. As I arrived one day at the hospital to visit mom one of the nurses at the nursing station spoke to me.
"Your mother is amazing. Last night we found her walking down the hallway and we had no idea how she got out of her bed." Mom had been unable to walk for several days and was confined to bed with the railings on the side to protect her from falling out of bed. They had to carry her back and place her back into bed.

Bill and I got to visit mom in the hospital every day for one week. Then we had to leave Halifax one week prior to mom's passing. Unbeknown to us beforehand, we were scheduled to take the same military phone leaving Halifax. The plane took us to Trenton, Ontario where Bill boarded a connecting flight back to Germany and I boarded a flight to Calgary. We were able to sit together during the flight from Halifax to Trenton.

Below is a photo of Bill and I with Michael Bell (Vivian's son) during that trip to Halifax.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

CHAPTER 15

RON COLLINS (1935 - 2002)

CHAPTER 16

CELEBRATING MY FATHER'S LIFE - by Christine Collins MacDonald

An Article Published in the Cape Breton Post

View from the Strait
By Christine MacDonald
Celebrating My Father's Life

When I was eight years old, my father applied to be a life insurance agent with Manulife after working in a steady job for 19 years. I wrote a letter and gave it to him on the day of his interview. It said I knew he'd be the best life insurance man in the whole wide world and he was already the best daddy in the whole world. My father went to the interview and he showed his future boss the letter I wrote. For the next thirty-two years, my father kept the letter on his desk and would often give me a hug and tell me that little letter got him the job. My father knew how to make you feel special.

My father believed in the power of prayer. One of his clients said he remembers as a teenager many years ago a man coming to the house to sell his parents life insurance and then asking if he could pray for the family. He said that left an impression on a young man that will never be forgotten. I saw my father look into the eyes of a visitor at the hospital, hold their hand in his, make sure he knew the names of their children, and pray earnestly for them. For that moment, all that mattered was that person. Even as he suffered with pain, his prayers were for others.

In the end, our needs are little. All my father needed in the hospital was his toothbrush and his Bible. My father loved his Bible. He read it, wrote in it and kept notes and cards in it. One of the nurses told my mother that on her birthday, my father pulled a blank birthday card out of his Bible, signed it and gave it to her.

For the last six weeks of my father's life, I had the privilege of helping to care for him. Every time I helped him brush his teeth or hold his water glass, he would say, "Thank you very much." In the middle of the night, I'd hear his breathing change or a cry of pain and I'd jump up to see what he needed and he'd say," "Chrissy, you're my angel. What would I do without you." My father made it easy for me to want to do anything I could for him.

They say a man's true worth in life is whether he made a difference in the lives of the people he loved. My father made a difference in my life. Sometimes we don't appreciate things enough until we see them leaving us.

I will miss my father so much but I know his new journey is one free of pain and suffering. At the end of the memorial service, we sang the hymn, "It is Well with My Soul." It was the same song that played on the CD player in the Palliative Care Unit of the VG Hospital as we watched my father take his last breath. I will somehow continue on and I'll hold my father's love in my heart. I know one day I'll meet my Dad in Heaven and he'll be waiting with the biggest hug to welcome me home.

Christine MacDonald lives in Port Hawkesbury where she teaches yoga and operates Body Basics Health & Fitness Studio.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions for this column, you can reach Christine at chris@bodybasics.org.

CHAPTER 17

REASONS WE LOVE GRAMPY - by Ron's Grandchildren

Ron's grandchildren got together a couple of days before the memorial service and made this list of reasons they love Grampy.
The children are Adam, Allie, Ben, Sam, Leah, Allyssa, Makayla and Nicholas.
Allie read it at the service.

CHAPTER 18

MY LIFE WITH MY BROTHER RON
a Letter to Ron's Children

by Linda Patterson

Doug & Linda Patterson - July 2010

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Dear Doug, Chris, Pam and Patty,

You have been on my mind and I wanted to write you to say hello and also to talk about my relationship with your Dad.

When I was a little girl my big brother, Ron, was very special to me. I loved my big, handsome brother with the blond hair and wonderful smile. He loved to hunt and brought a beagle dog, Lady into our lives. Ron and I both loved Lady very much and that was a special bond.

I remember a car trip to Ontario to visit Bill with Mom, Dad, Walter and Ron when I was about eight years old. I felt so loved and special traveling with my parents and two big brothers. They bought me little gifts and souvenirs along the way. It was my first motor trip and left a permanent impression on my young mind.

When I was quite young and Mom would take me into Halifax to shop we often stopped by the CN telegraph office to see Ron. I remember one time he lifted me through a window and took me around the office to show me off to his co-workers. Then when I was 11 or 12 years old, I would often go with a friend to a movie on Barrington St. on a Sat. afternoon. We would meet Ron when he got off work to get a ride home. I felt protected by Ron.

Ron owned the only car in the family and he would often take us for Sunday afternoon drives around the province. I especially loved the drives around Peggy’s Cove and other scenic places. Ron was always the one Mom & Dad could depend on to be there for them. When Ron first met your Mother through a cousin of ours, I was in awe of this beautiful girl he brought home for us to meet. Ron fell madly in love with Elsie and let all of us know it. Their wedding at Bayers Road Baptist Church was very special to me. I was so surprised to meet a boy in my seventh grade class there. When he asked me, "What are you doing here"? I exclaimed, "This is MY big brother getting married today!" lol

When I was eighteen I took driving lessons. Ron was also there to help me and give me tips. One day when we were out in the car, I made a foolish mistake and Ron yelled at me. Well, did I cry! He firmly but lovingly told me what I did wrong and how to correct it.

When I started my first job at the Dept. of Finance and Economics in Halifax, Ron and I would often meet and go to Pt. Pleasant Park to enjoy our bagged lunches together or we would walk along Barrington St. and talk. Looking back I see how much Ron cared for me by taking time to be with me out of his busy work day. (I have tears running down my face as I write this) A few months after I left Halifax in 1968 I got a telegram from Ron. It read, "The scenery on Barrington St. isn’t as nice since you left. Hurry home and in the meantime write Mom." Well I wasn’t in a rush to get back to Halifax at the time but I did write home more often. In those days long distance calls were reserved for birthdays or Christmas.

Over the years I had the occasional visit home to Halifax and a couple of times your parents visited us here in Ontario. However, it wasn’t until 2000 that Ron and I once again became very close. The foundation and strength of our relationship as adults was based on our love and commitment to Jesus Christ. I sent Ron a book by Robert Shattles, a Baptist minister who had a powerful relationship with God. Ron really loved the book and was very grateful to me for thinking of him. From there we started e-mailing and telephone calls and found friendship in one another that I believe was a great source of encouragement not only to me but to Ron in his last days.

My trip to Halifax in Aug of 2001 was for the sole purpose of visiting with Ron and praying with him. It was a very special time for both of us. I have a wonderful picture of Ron and myself taken that week that I keep it on my desk to remind me of my wonderful brother and a great man of God.

When my Mom, that wonderful woman you knew as "Nanny" went home to Heaven back in 1970, your Mother told me to be encouraged that part of her would always be alive in me. I leave those same words with you today. Part of Ron lives on in you! We have the blessed hope as Christians that life here is very short but eternity is forever and it is never good-bye but so long for now.

Although we may not have been in close touch over the years, I want you to know that I love you and if you ever need prayer for anything or want to visit Ontario with your families I am here.

All my love,

Linda

CHAPTER 19

NOTES TO RON - by Walter E Collins

My first recalled memory of you was when mom was holding me in her arms and I was looking out from these eyes at you and Bill at play. I wanted to join you in running around at play. That was on a warm summer day in 1937 at the Halifax Commons. I do recall that experience. Here is a photo which sparked that memory.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

I remember when I was seven and you were eight and we had a favorite trick we would play on people. Across the street from where we lived was a small vacant field fenced off. We would get an old wallet and tie a string to it and place it on the sidewalk and place ourselves behind the fence holding the other end of the string. Someone would walk by, see the wallet, reach down to pick it up and we would pull on the string and retrieve the wallet just as their hand was about to pick it up. We did this for a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed this game. One day a man strode by and we thought he did not see the wallet. As he was passing he stepped on it and stopped and replied; "I got you this time, you whipper-snappers." He kept the wallet and as I recall that was the last time we played that game.

I recall one day a neighbor, Mrs Sullivan, came to our door to speak to mom. We hid in a closet because we knew what she was there for. She said to mom, "Mrs. Collins, your three sons are always getting into trouble in the neighborhood." She had come to the door complaining on several occasions but she never did elaborate on what trouble we were getting into. As she was rambling on you came out of the closet and stood next to mom facing Mrs Sullivan and replied, "Please do not include Walter, Mrs Sullivan. He was not with us." I admired your courage and strength to face that lady and your courageous effort to protect me.

We lived one short block from one of the oldest cemetaries in Canada. I recall how we used to go to read the headstones as we roamed through the cemetary.

I recall when a huricane hit Halifax in 1944 and the excitement of you and I watching it together.

I remember walking down Barrington Street with you on that infamous day when the war ended in 1945. We watched some of the havoc in the streets as the sailors celebrated the end of the war.

I recall in late 1945 when dad sat us down and announced with excitement that we were moving. We moved to Kline Heights (8 Fairview Avenue) because mom and dad wanted us to live in a more quiet and relaxed neighborhood.

Shortly after we moved there was a terrible explosion in Bedford Basin. The amunition depot had exploded and they expected another strong blast to occur. When the explosion first occurred dad was on the roof working and we were playing the the yard. We heard a loud rumbling sound. So mom and dad packed us up, you, Bill and I, along with Jeanette, Vivian and Marilyn and we camped overnight in the woods. I recall sleeping next to you until the blankets.

The next year we were there dad decided to build a second story onto our house. Almost by himself with a few neighbors dad proceeded to build the addition to the house. I remember you diligently with painstaking effort assisting dad in doing so. I helped a little but most of the time I was off playing.

The house was build on solid granite rock and you and dad did the impossible. It did not have a basement; it was all solid rock. You and dad spent days and months hand drilling holes into the rock in an effort to remove it. After many hours of drilling dad would place a stick of dynamite into the hole drilled and blast away the rock. He made sure everyone was out of the house in case the house blew up. I thought at the time that it might blow up from the blast. After the dynamite went off you and dad would go back into the basement to cart out all the broken rock. This went on for several years. You were always there working along dad's side. I was hardly ever there and I always thought it wonderful that you did this too. One day I had a friend visiting and he asked me; "Walter, what are all those big rocks during next to your house." There was literally tons of broken boulders in the vacant lot which adjoined our house.

I recall about that time dad answered a knock on the door. He opened the door and talked with a neighbor for a few minutes. We listened and heard the neighbor telling dad that a black family was moving into the neighborhood (at that time there were no black people in the neighborhood). The neighbor wanted dad to sign a petition in an effort to exclude the black family from moving into the neighborhood. We listened intently to what dad had to say. He told the neighbor that he would not sign as he felt the black family were entitled to live in the neighborhood. I recall you expressing what a wonderful thing dad was saying. I felt proud for dad then as I am sure you did. Ron. here is a photo of you and I and dad at his 84th birthday party April 14th, 1988.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

I remember in my early teens when I was coming home from school one day and I was confronted by a neighborhood bully, Mike. He was carrying a bottle of milk near his driveway. I had to walk past him on my way home. As I approached he set the milk on the side of the road and stopped me from walking on. He stood in front of me blocking my way. Right then you came around the curve in the road, saw Mike with his nose in my face. You ran over and said, "Mike, if you touch Walter, you'll have to face me." Right then I made an attempt to difuse the situation. I said to Mike. If you don't pick up your quart of milk a car might come by and run over it. Mike just laughed and told ne to shut up. Ron, you were in the middle of the road arguing with Mike and the most wonderful thing happened. A car came down the road and had to swerve a little to get by. Well, that car ran over the quart of milk and the milk ran down the road. Mike ran toward his house crying and babbling that his mother will kill him. You yelled to Mike, "Don't cry over spilled milk." We continued on home laughing all the way.

And Ron, I remember one day when I was 12 and you 13 we had made a rather powerful slingshot. We were shooting tin cans off a fence. You looked up and saw a sparrow on the top of an old post nearby. From the hip, you shot at the bird and the bird fell dead to the bottom of the post. You ran over crying and picked up the bird. You felt so bad about that. You prayed over and over for forgiveness and for the bird's spirit to forgive you. We were there for over an hour praying and asking forgiveness. We buried the bird right there and had a funeral service for it. I know that this experience stayed with us the rest of our lives and I know you treated all life as precious after that.

I also recall when we went to the ballfield to play ball. All the neighborhood boys would gather and you were one of the respected leaders when we played ball. You were always choosen as captain. It was customary for two captains to choose their teams by picking sides. There would be usually 10 to 15 boys standing there waiting to be choosen. You always picked me first to be on your team. Even though there were better players than me there, you always picked me first. This gave me a feeling of confidence and I so much appreciated that as I do today.

I remember one day you and I went over to Withrod Lake to swim. At that time, it was illegal to swim in the lake but everyone did anyway. As we approached the lake I ran down, took off my clothes and jumped in. You were right behind me and you noticed the guard standing behind a rock. The guard was a man there for the purpose of stopping poeple from entering the water. You yelled a warning to me, I saw the guard and came out of the water.
I grabbed my clothes and the guard grabbed me. The guard looked at me and asked; "Who boy are you?".
I replied, "Me Mommy, Daddy boy". and at the same time you said, "Run Walter, run."
I took off on the run and the guard did not follow us. We laughed at that one too all the way home. Over the years you always mentioned that incident to me, saying "Who boy are you?"

I remember the day in 1954 when we posed for this picture. Left to right: Walter, Bill and his wife Janice, Dad and you.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

In 1957 I enlisted in the RCAF. I remember the day I left home and you expressed sadness that I was leaving home. And you gave me a big hug and told me you loved me and for me to take good care of myself.

In 1958 I sent you a Christmas card which cost me fifteen cents. On Christmas 1959 you sent the same card back to me with a note attached. We continued to send that card back and forth until 2001. I would hold the card for one year and you would hold it for one year. We added little notes to the card each time we sent it.
Also, we sent the same birthday card back and forth from 1958 to 2001. I would receive it on my birthday in March and send it to you on your birthday in October. Those cards gave me so much pleasure and I always looked forward to receiving them from you.

CHAPTER 20

MY LIFE IN THE COLLINS FAMILY 1937-1957 - by Walter E Collins

George & Annie Collins - 1933 photo
Please Click on photo to enlarge!

THE EARLY YEARS 1937 to 1945

This is my story of growing up with my family during the first twenty years of my life.
I was born the third of eight children to George and Annie Collins in Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 23, 1937. During these twenty years I spent a lot of time and pleasure with my older brother Ron (1935 - 2002) so most of my story of those twenty years involves Ron.

My first recalled memory was when mom was holding me in her arms and I was looking at my two brothers Bill and Ron at play and I wanted to join them. That was on a warm summer day in 1937 at the Halifax Common. I do recall that experience. Here is a photo which sparked that memory.

Annie Collins & Walter - 1937 photo
Please Click on photo to enlarge!

I found it exciting when I heard the siren sound. Mom and dad would turn off the light, cover the windows and light candles. We would huddle around the radio listening to the news. Sometimes the siren would resound several hours later to indicate it was OK to turn lights back on. Other times there would be no resounding of the siren which was an indication for all lights to remain off.

One of the places mom and dad would take us as children was to the Halifax Public Gardens. I remember how much mom loved to go there. She would often expound on the beauty of the flowers and the surroundings. We would often go there on Sunday evenings to listen to the concerts and music and the bands playing.

the bandstand at the Halifax Public Gardens
Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Halifax looking south from atop Citadel Hill, circa 1870.
A row of cannons face down towards the harbour.

I remember when I was seven and Ron was eight and we had a favorite trick we would play on people. Across the street from where we lived was a small vacant field fenced off. We would get an old wallet and tie a string to it and place it on the sidewalk and place ourselves behind the fence holding the other end of the string. Someone would walk by, see the wallet, reach down to pick it up and we would pull on the string and retrieve the wallet just as their hand was about to pick it up. We did this for a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed this game. One day a man strode by and we thought he did not see the wallet. As he was passing he stepped on it and stopped and replied; "I got you this time, you whipper-snappers." He kept the wallet and as I recall that was the last time we played that game.

In 1944 when I was seven years old I found a way to earn a little money. I had a wagon with four wheels that Ron sometimes used to pull me along on as I sat on the wagon.

One day I was pulling the wagon along the sidewalk near our home on Hollis Street. As I was passing by the liquor store a man approached me and asked me if he could borrow my wagon for a few moments. I agreed and he proceeded to load several cases of beer onto the wagon. I followed him for about one block where he placed the cases of beer in his car, thanked me and gave me some change.

From then on all I had to do was position myself outside the liquor store and men would "rent" my wagon to transport their cases of beer.

This was, of course, during the war years and those men drank a lot of beer. You could say, that was my first job.

I recall one day a neighbor, Mrs Sullivan, came to our door to speak to mom. Ron and I hid in a closet because we knew what she was there for. She said to mom, "Mrs. Collins, your three sons are always getting into trouble in the neighborhood." She had come to the door complaining on several occasions but she never did elaborate on what trouble we were getting into. As she was rambling on Ron came out of the closet and stood next to mom facing Mrs Sullivan and replied, "Please do not include Walter, Mrs Sullivan. He was not with us." I admired Ron's courage and strength to face that lady and his courageous effort to protect me.

We lived one short block from one of the oldest cemetaries in Canada.It was called the old burying ground. This cemetary was situated at the corner of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road. In 1844 the Camp Hill Cemetary replaced this one as a buriel grounds.

I recall how Ron and I (in 1943 and 1944) used to go to read the headstones as we roamed through the cemetary. Halifax was founded in 1749 and is one of the oldest cities in Canada. It fasinated me that some headstones were dated back in the 1700's.

One warm summer early evening in 1944 I wandered into a church near our home on Argyle Street where a church service was just beginning. I sat in a pew alone at the back of the church. What I remembered most were the stained-glass windows and the organ playing. The service ended and I walked home.

When I arrived back home dad asked me where I had been. I told him I went into the church and stayed for the service. I remember my mother saying to dad,
"George, he is telling the truth. It is 10 past 8 and the service ended at 8. The next week mom took me to the church as we attended the service together. That church was St Paul's Anglican Church. It was built in 1750 and was the first church in Halifax.

When I was three years old at Christmas time I sat in the corner behind the Christmas tree holding my teddy bear. My mom and dad and family and a few relatives who were visiting were in the room listening to me sing Christmas carols. I remember as I sang they would toss a few coins to me in an effort to encourage me to sing more carols. Here is a poem I wrote many years later.

ME AND MY TEDDY BEAR

When I was just a little boy
When I was only three
I sat with my teddy bear
Under the Christmas tree.

Sitting there we could not be seen
By family who were near
And we sang Christmas carols
Me and my teddy bear.

I recall so well those days
When I was young and free
How I loved my little teddy bear
A faithful friend to me.

The excitement of having teddy with me
To open gifts with my family dear
And together sing beneath the tree
Me and my teddy bear.

On day in 1944 dad brought home a wash tub full of lobsters. My eyes were popping as I stared at the live lobsters in the washtub. There were about two dozen lobsters and I recall dad telling us that he paid $ 10. for the lobsters.

Mom would drop a few lobsters into a boiling pot and I was amazed how the lobsters changed from a green color to a bright red color after they were boiled. Since those days I have never tasted lobsters so delicious.

Dad worked for several years as a fisherman on the fishing boats at that time and he often brought home fresh sea fish. Mom would bake or fry the fish and we had many a fine fish meal in those days.

Dad also worked for at least five or more years as a freight handler on the cargo ships that loaded and unloaded their cargo on the Halifax piers. Dad belonged to the Maritime Freight Handlers Union and after being a member for the first few years he was able to obtain a rather low number. He would report to the docks in the early mornings and wait for the announcement of the numbering system. I believe his number was somewhere in the thirties and there often would be several hunderd men hoping to get employed every day. There was often not enough work for all the men to be employed. Some days dad would come home in the morning to tell us that he did not get hired that day. I remember admiring dad for his efforts and for the freight handling work he did. It was very physical activity and not easy work.

Dad had a very close friend by the name of Al Hornet. He was a fisherman who was often out to sea on his fishing boat. We called him Uncle Al and he was a very kind, gentle and loving man. I loved it when Al would come to stay with us at Christmas time.

I remember one dinner meal when Al was staying with us for a few days. The family were all seated around the dinner table with Al sitting next to dad. Mom came out of the kitchen carrying a huge caserol of baked beans. Mom intended to serve the beans by holding the caserol while each person in turn would use a large spoon to scoop beans from the caserol bowl onto their plate. Mom placed the bowl in front of Al and he took the caserol bowl and placed it on the top of his plate and began to eat from the caserol. I remember Ron looking at me with a surprised look. Mom motioned to us not to say anything. She quietly went back into the kitchen and brought out another caserol of beans. We had plenty to eat with the beans and mom's baked bread. We were surprised also that Al ate all the beans that were in the caserol.

One day dad came home with sad news. Al had been walking the plank way to board his fishing boat and he feel into Halifax harbour and drowned. That was a sad day for all of us.

I recall the Church Rummage Sales that mom went to in 1944. Ron and I would tag along with her. Oftentimes we would stand outside the church in line with a group of people, mostly women, waiting for the Church Hall to open at 9 A.M. when the door opened everyone would rush inside where clothing was placed on tables. The people would purchase clothing articles for ten or fifteen cents each.

I remember an occasion when mom held a clothing article in her hands and another lady grabbed it from her abruptly. Mom told the lady she she intended to purchase the article. When the other lady got defensive mom replied, "That's all right my dear, you can have it." My thought at the time was of how considerate and kind mom was to the other lady.

During the war years mom often attended rummage sales to provide clothing for us children.

I remember walking down Barrington Street with my brothers Bill and Ron on May 7, 1945, the day the war ended. We watched some of the havoc in the streets as sailors and civilians celebrated the end of the war.

The Halifax VE-Day Riots
"Word of Germany's surrender in World War II was met by celebrations across Canada, but in Halifax, Nova Scotia the VE-Day celebrations rapidly turned into riots. For two days, military personnel and civilians roamed the streets, drinking, smashing windows, looting businesses and setting fires."

In 1944/1945 I attended Grade One at Morris Street Elementary School in Halifax. Bill and Ron was attending that school also. I recall one day on our way to school we were crossing the road and I found a $ 2. bill in the gutter. That was a lot of money to a seven year old boy in those days. Ron and I had money to go to movies on Saturday afternoons for several weeks and money to buy goodies at the movies.

So in May 1945 the war ended. In June of that year mom and dad sat us down and announced with excitement that we were moving. We moved to Kline Heights (8 Fairview Avenue) because mom and dad wanted us to live in a more quiet and relaxed neighborhood.

THE YEARS 1945 to 1957

Collins House 1945 & 1948

In 1946 dad decided to build a second story onto our house. Almost by himself with a few neighbors dad proceeded to build the addition to the house. I remember Ron diligently with painstaking effort assisting dad in doing so. I helped a little but most of the time I was off playing. The second story was added onto the house which included four bedrooms and a bathroom.

The house was build on solid granite rock and dad and Ron and I did the impossible. It did not have a basement; it was all solid rock. We spent days and months hand drilling holes into the rock in an effort to remove it. It often took several hours to hand drill one hole into the rock. The hole would be about one and one half inch in diameter and about six inches deep. We would hold the drill in place in one hand and hit the drill with a large hammer to make the hole in the rock. Today rock drilling is done by an electric drill. It would certainly not be done the way we did it.

After many hours of drilling dad would place a stick of dynamite into the hole drilled and blast away the rock. Dad made sure everyone was out of the house in case the house blew up. I thought at the time that it might blow up from the blast. After the dynamite blast split the rock into smaller pieces dad and Ron and I would go back into the basement to cart out all the broken rock. This went on for several years. Ron was always there working along dad's side. I was hardly ever there and I always thought it wonderful how Ron helped dad with this project.

One day I had a friend visiting and he asked me;
"Walter, what are all those big rocks during next to your house?" There was literally tons of broken boulders in the vacant lot which adjoined our house.

On July 18, 1945 in the early evening Ron and I were playing marbles outside our house. We suddenly heard a loud thundering sound which lasted for ten or fifteen seconds. Dad came running out of the house and stated to us that it sounded like barrels were rolling off the roof. We then saw in the sky over the city of Halifax a large mushroom shaped dark cloud. Mom and dad turned on the radio and we listened to a special broadcast of an ammunition explosion disaster in Halifax Harbour. A little later they issued an evacuation order for most of Halifax since they thought there would be more explosions.

Mom and Dad made a decision to evacuate our home right away. So mom and dad quickly packed supplies including food, blankets, etc. and the whole family left the house and went to the woods near the ballfield and set up camp there. Our family then included mom and dad, Bill, Ron, Myself, Jeanette, Vivian and Marilyn. We stayed at the camp over night and returned home in the morning when it was safe to do so. There were no more explosions after the initial one.

"Bedford Magazine Explosion, 18-19 July 1945, initiated when an ammunition barge blew up at the naval magazine jetty on Bedford Basin, Halifax harbour. Fire spread quickly to adjacent piles of ammunition, which had been temporarily stored outside because of overcrowding in the main compound. A chain reaction of fire, explosion and concussion rocked Halifax for a day." Continued

Ron and I would visit to view the following anchor in Armdale close to where we lived. I found it amazing that the anchor flew over two miles through the air after the ships collided.

"The Dec. 6, 1917 Halifax Explosion hurled this 1140 lb anchor shaft 2.35 miles from the S.S. Mont Blanc to this park after it collided with the ship Imo. The ensueing explosion killed 1500 people and 9000 were injured. The force was stronger than any manmade explosion before it. It devastated the north end of the city with more death and destruction to follow." Continued

Anchor
Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Water Pump
Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Mom would ask Ron or I to draw some water from the pump for cooking or drinking purposes. I found it exciting when I used the pump to get water. I would pump the handle several times to prime the pump before water came out. Priming the pump restored the water pressure causing the water to flow.

In summer the well would often go dry and there would be no water available. We then would walk to the community spring which was about 1/4 mile away with buckets to get water. I would often carry a full bucket of water in each hand stopping to rest along the way.

When we moved into the house we did not have an elctric clothes washer. Mom used a washboard and tub to wash clothes. I remember mom scrubbing the clothes on the washboard and dipping them into the tub. The washboard and tub were similiar to the ones in this photo.

Mom would hang the clothes on several clothes lines in the back yard. I remember how white the bed sheets were and how clean and fresh all the clothes were after they were dried in the sun. The clothes on the line can be seen in the backyard in the 1945 photo of the Collins House 1945 & 1948

Also in the blown-up 1945 photo mom can be seen standing on the verandra with her hair in curlers. It was custom for women to have their hair in curlers at that time.

Shortly after we moved into the house Dad installed a coal burning stove in the basement to heat the home during the cold winter months. Every fall dad would order a load of coal and it would be dumped through a small ground level window into the basement. The coal would be stored in the basement in the front right hand side. A coal shoot was placed on the back of the truck and the coal would ride down the shoot into the basement. We would feed the coal into the stove through the furnace door which was latched when the coal burned in the furnace. The following photo is of a shovel similiar to the one we used to shovel the coal into the furnace.

We also had a poker to stir the coals and a steel bucket container to place the ashes in after the coal was burned in the furnace. The coal would burn for a long time in the furnace and the heat was suppliedto each room in the house through the ducts. There was at least one register in each room which could be set on the opened or closed positions.

I recall one day when Bill was fourteen or fifteen years old. He came home late one night and found the back door had been locked. He did not want to awaken anyone in the house so he decided to climb through the window into the basement. As he climbed through the window he fell into the pile of coal and his clothes were very dirty from his "roll in the coal". Mom and Dad, Bill, Ron and I laughed over recalling this incident for many years.

When we got our first telephone we were on a " party line". There were four other families on our line and all four had different ring tones to identify which incoming call was for which family. I remember we had three short rings, then a pause and three short rings again. When the phone rang we would listen to the number of rings. If the rings stopped at one, or two, or four, before the pause, we knew the call was not for us. I remember when we went to place an outgoing call, we would pick up the receiver to dial and often someone would be talking on the phone. This went on for several years before we got off the party line system.

We had a wall phone similiar to the one below.

December 13th, 2011 was the 65th anniversay of my brother Wilfred's birth. Refer to Chapter 17 "Remembering the Life of Wilfred Collins (1946 - 1952)

Below is a photo of six Collins siblings in 1947

rear left to right Bill, Ron, Walter
front left to right Jeanette, Vivian, Marilyn

The XYZ Club - In the back yard of our home stood a rather large high loft barn.
The barn can be seen behind the house in the 1946 photo of the Collins House 1946 & 1948

In the loft in the rear right side of the barn brother Bill built a structure about five square feet and five ir six feet high. There was a ladder there to climb up into this small room area. I remember Bill established a rule that no one was to enter the structure unless they were a member of the XYZ Club. Ron and I were immediately accepted as members and I do not recall if anyone else was ever a member. There was also a hammock set up in the barn and Ron and I used to enjoy taking turns lying in the hammock.

Bill left home in 1949 to sail the world on a ship. I believe he lied about his age in order to get the job. I recall how excited I was when Bill would come home for a few days when his ship returned back to Halifax. He would often give us children a few quarters each which seemed like a lot of money to me in those days. I recall one day when his ship was in port at Portland, Oregon and he phoned home. I recall talking to him on the phone and thinking that Portland must have been half way around the world. Bill began learning his trade while at sea and went on to become a master cook and pastery chef.

I remember my tenth birthday in 1947. For several weeks prior to my birthday I wanted a certain bicycle that cost $ 12. I keep picturing myself riding the bicycle and I recall mentioned to mother on one occasion that I would like the bicycle. Several days before my birthday I overheard mom and dad talking in their bedroom at night. I heard mom mention to dad that I wanted the bicycle and that the costs was $ 12. I heard them make the decision to get me the bicycle. On my birthday I went outside and the bicycle was there with a blue ribbon on it with a "happy birthday Walter" card attached to it.

Mom and dad would often lie in bed at night and discuss finances. With a big family they often did not have the time to do so during the day. I found comfort listening to them discuss money matters. I know they had to budget and spend money wisely.

Mom and dad always managed to pay their bills on time. I recall one day mom saying to Ron and I,
"Boys, be good to your dad when he gets home. He has gone to the doctor's office to pay $ 100. on a medical bill."

I recall about that time dad answered a knock on the door. He opened the door and talked with a neighbor for a few minutes. We listened and heard the neighbor telling dad that a black family was moving into the neighborhood (at that time there were no black people in the neighborhood). The neighbor wanted dad to sign a petition in an effort to exclude the black family from moving into the neighborhood. We listened intently to what dad had to say. He told the neighbor that he would not sign as he felt the black family were entitled to live in the neighborhood.

After the neighbor left dad delivered a few words to Ron and I that made me feel very proud of him. He told us that the black family had every right to move into the neighborhood, that they were God's children like us. The black family did move into the neighborhood and Ron and I became friends with the boys.

For several years in the late 1940's Mom and Dad attended Fairview United Church on Dutch Village Road near the Armdale Rotary Circle. This was during the time prior to their involvement with the Salvation Army. Mom and Dad would go to the Sunday Church sessions on Sunday mornings and attend the evening church meetings in the evenings. Ron and I would go with them and we would attend the Sunday School sessions in the meeting room at the church on Sunday mornings and attend the Sunday evening church meetings with our parents. Ron and I spent many a Sunday morning attending the Sunday School meetings.

Skipping ahead some thirty-five years to April, 1984 I was visiting Halifax in celebration of dad's 80th birthday. While there my sister Marilyn Blendheim and her husband Peter invited me to be the guest speaker on a Saturday evening at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and they brought Dad along with them. The AA meeting was held in the very room at the Bethany United Church where I attended many Sunday School sessions thirty-five years before. During my AA talk I felt proud to mention this fact to the fourty or so people attending the meeting.

As I was speaking Dad stood up from his chair and as he did so I remained quiet for a moment. Dad spoke for a few moments quite simply and spoke of how proud he was of me. I only wish I could recall his exact words. Then he quietly sat down.

After the meeting people came up to me expressing their sincere thoughts on "the wonderful words spoken" by dad.

I felt very proud of Dad at the time and the memory of that event will live with me forever.

April 17, 1948 was the birth of my sister Linda (now Linda Patterson). Linda was the last born of the eight Collins children and I remember the day mom brought her home. We were all excited with having a new baby in the family and I remember how Ron and I fussed over her. Dad was very excited also and he later referred to her as "Linda Lou, Honest True".

I remember how mom would prepare a written grocery list and phone in her grocery order to the Co-op Grocery store. At that time we had ten or twelve people living in the house and the costs of one week's groceries for all those people would often come to around $ 20. When the groceries were delivered or when we picked them up at the store, I was amazed how many bags of groceries there were.

One Friday afternoon I went to Marriot's Grocery Store with mom and she bought some meat at the meat counter. In those days it was customary not to eat meat on Fridays and mom would usually prepare fish for the Friday meal. The girl behind the counter made a comment to mom.
"Mrs Collins, you're not going to eat meat on a Friday?"
Mother's immediate reply was
"My Dear, what goes into your stomach will not hurt your soul."

I remember thinking at the time that mom's response was perfect.

Mom often addressed people with the endearing words, "My Dear". I would often hear her include those two words when she spoke to any of her children as well as when she spoke to any other person.
In addition, mom would often repeat herself. For example, she would say, "Suppers ready, my dear, suppers ready."

Another phrase mom would often say was "Sing out". For example, "Sing out if you want something" "Sing out when you are ready". I often thought that these were delightful and wonderful ways of mom expressing herself.

Mom was always doing a lot of baking. She made batches of home-made bread and plenty of wonderful desserts. Her cooking was always delicious and wholesome food.

Many warm summer evenings Ron and I would go blue berry picking near the ballfield and sometimes our sisters Jeanette, Vivian, Marilyn, Linda would come along. Mom would use the blueberries to bake wonderful blueberry pie. She also made blueberry tarts and blueberry muffins that were delicious. In winter Ron and I would bring home wild rabbits that we snared. Mom would skin the rabbits and make rabbit stew. I loved the taste of that rabbit stew. I have never tasted better stew since those days.

Ron took great care in making rabbit foot key chains similiar to the one pictured below. He would always keep one with him as did I and he would give them to friends.

I recall one day in grade six I was fiddling with my rabbit foot as I sat at my desk in school. I dropped it on the floor and reached over to pick it up. The teacher, Mrs Cameron, saw me picking it up and asked me what I was doing. I told her I was picking up my rabbit's foot off the floor. She had me stand up and explain why I had the rabbit foot. I explained to her and the class the significance of the rabbit foot as a good luck charm.

"In many cultures, the foot of a rabbit is carried as an amulet believed to bring good luck. This belief is held by individuals in many parts of the world including Europe, China, Africa, and North and South America. It is likely that this belief has existed in Europe since 600 B.C. Continued!

One day when I went alone to check my rabbit snares I found I had snared a large bird. When I saw the bird in the snare I did not know what it was. So I took it home and mom knew right away that it was a partridge. She made partridge stew with the bird and we enjoyed another fine meal.

The dinner setting at the table usually consisted of ten places with four on either side and one at each end of the table. Mom would sit at the head of the table nearest the kitchen. This would make it easy for her in serving the food from the kitchen. I would always sit to the left of mom and Ron would sit to the left of me. The girls Jeanette, Vivian, Marilyn and Linda would sit on the opposite side of the table with Jeanette sitting to mom's right. Of course, dad would sit at the other end of the table.

It was customary to say "grace" prior to eating. Dad would often say the prayer of grace although we did take turns doing so.

While at the dinner table dad would often remind us to "chew your food 40 times" and not to drink water or other liquids while eating. Our breakfast usually consisted of oatmeal or Cream of Wheat, which was my favorite. I loved to eat Cream of Wheat covered with spoonfuls of brown sugar.

For our dental needs mom arranged for us children to visit Dalhousie University - Faculty of Dentistry in Halifax where dental services was provided at low costs. I remember when I went to the dentist mom would give me four dollars and that would pay for one tooth filling.

One day I left home in Kline Heights on my bicycle to go to the dentist. As I was peddling the bicycle the chain suddenly came of the bike. I became a little scared knowing there was a steep downhill ahead. In my attempt to stop the bike I steered it into the nearby bushes. The front tire hit a tree and I flew over the handlebars of the bike into the bushes. I had several cuts on my face and bruises on my knees. I got up and secured the chain back on the bike and returned back home. Mom patched me up and I left home once again and finally arrived at the dentist office.

Mom was an excellent 'healer'. She always knew exactly what to do when one of us children got injured or hurt. She used natural methods of healing and never resorted to drugs or perscriptions.

In 1948 Aunt Alice (my mother's sister) at the age of 39 passed away during childbirth leaving behind ten children. Several of the children were taken in by brothers and sisters of Aunt Alice. My cousin Mildred "Nettie" Campbell who was thirteen at the time came to live with us for several years. Jackie Campbell who was my age, eleven at the time, went to live with Uncle Bill (Mom's brother) and Aunt Dinah. Here is a photo of Jack Campbell and I taken in 1952 when we were both fifteen.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

One a Saturday morning my friend Kenny Sullivan and I went to the golf course to investigate the caddy situation. We walked up to the caddy shack where several boys were gathered. There was a tom boyish looking girl there who was about 15 years old. I later found out that her name was Mike. She appeared to be the leader of the group of boys.

As we approached the group Mike walked towards us followed by three or four boys. Mike said to me,
"Is this your first time here?"
I answered her in the affirmative.
"Come with us." she replied.
Nearby the caddy shack was the tenth hole on the golf course in which a pond skirted the right side. Mike and the boys took Kenny and I to the pond and threw us in with a warning not to come back again. Apparently they wanted to discourage new caddies from coming there. Luckily it was a warm day and Kenny and I returned home.

The next week I returned alone and approached the caddy shack. As I did so Mike walked over to me and spoke.
"Didn't I throw you in the pond last week?"
Looking her straight in the eye I replied that indeed she had done so.

I was prepared to take another dunking and keep coming back until I was accepted.

After hestiting for several seconds Mike replied,
"O.K. you can stay."

I recall that I did not get to caddy that first day but I got the OK for Kenny to come back with me the next week.

The pay for caddying eighteen holes was fifty cents and if the caddy carried two bags (one on each shoulder) the pay was seventy-five cents. I often carrying two bags at the same time and most of the time I would receive fifty cents from both players.

"They Got Me Covered"
One day in the summer of 1952 Ron and I found a safe in the bushes while walking along the road near our home. The steel safe was about three cubic feet and very heavy. It had been broken open probably by a crowbar and large hammer since it was smashed pretty bad. There were papers spread all over the area but no money was found. We told dad about the find and he notified the authories. It was later determined that the safe had been stolen from a grocery store about one mile from where we found it.

About two weeks later Ron and I were attending a Saturday night movie at the Armdale Theatre. The movie "They Got Me Covered" starring Bob Hope was playing. About half way through the movie stopped and the lights came on. There was an announcement requesting everyone to remain seated. Several plain clothed policeman entered the theatre and apprehended a man who was sitting in the back row. Ron and I were sitting only two rows in front. We noticed the men flashing a badge and placing hand cuffs on the man. Then we recognized the man who was being taken into custory. It was a neighbor living in Kline Heights by the name of Raymond M......Raymond was charged with theft of the safe, convicted and spent several years in prison.

I recall Ron and I walking home from the movie and commenting how ironic that Raymond was apprehended while watching the movie "They Got Me Covered".

One summer day in 1952 Ron and I went fishing in Northwest Arm near Armdale. Ron had prepared two fishing rods with a line on each rod with several hooks attached to each line. The hooks were of a silvery color. Ron knew exactly which area to go to catch the fish. The amazing thing about this fishing experience was that we did not use any bait to catch the fish. We were only at the fishing spot for a few minutes when we started to catch fish. There was a school of fish below our rowboat and the fish were attracted to the color of the hooks and we started pulling in fish. Every time we pulled up the line there were two or three fish on the line. Each hook on the line would catch a fish which were from eight to ten inches long. Ron had brought along a washtub and we had about thirty fish in the tub before we stopped fishing.

I remember thinking at the time how amazing it was that we used no bait and how clever Ron was to arrange the details of this fishing experience. Ron knew that this school of fish were in that area of the Northwest Arm at that particular time of year.

Northwest Arm of Halifax Harbour near sunset, showing
the landmark Dingle Memorial Tower on the right

On Nov 18, 1952 I hid a note in the Collins home. It was returned to me 58 years later by my sister Vivian Collins Bell."
Refer to Chapter 23 for the full story

I remember in my early teens when I was coming home from school one day and I was confronted by a neighborhood bully, Mike M...... Mike was the brother of Raymond M...... referred to in the above story, "They Got Me Covered".

Mike was carrying a bottle of milk near his driveway. I had to walk past him on my way home. As I approached he set the milk on the side of the road and stopped me from walking on. He stood in front of me blocking my way. Right then Ron came around the curve in the road, saw Mike with his nose in my face. Ron ran over and said, "Mike, if you touch Walter, you'll have to face me." Right then I made an attempt to difuse the situation. I said to Mike. If you don't pick up your quart of milk a car might come by and run over it. Mike just laughed and told ne to shut up. Ron was in the middle of the road arguing with Mike and the most wonderful thing happened. A car came down the road and had to swerve a little to get by. Well, that car ran over the quart of milk and the milk ran down the road. Mike ran toward his house crying and babbling that his mother will kill him. Ron yelled to Mike, "Don't cry over spilled milk." We continued on home laughing all the way.

I also recall when we went to the ballfield to play ball. All the neighborhood boys would gather and Ron was one of the respected leaders when we played ball. Ron was always selected as captain. It was customary for two captains to pick their teams by selecting players in turn. There would be usually 10 to 15 boys standing there waiting to be picked. Ron always picked me first to be on his team. Even though there were better players than me there, Ron always picked me first. This gave me a feeling of confidence and I so much appreciated that as I do today.

I was not very good and batting so I determined to be a good catcher. I usually played first base because the first baseman wore a glove and I found it easy to catch the softball that way. I recall playing first base one day and Ernie Marriott was pitching for our team. Ernie had a strong arm and was known to throw the fast real fast. A ground ball was hit to Ernie and he throw it hard at me. I just raised my arms in an effort to protect myself and I caught the ball. After that they wanted me to play first base all the time.

Ron was an all around good softball player. He could pitch, throw well and was a good batter. Ron held the bat cross-handed (which was an unusual way to hold it) as seen in the teenage photo of Ron below.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

I remember one day Ron and I went over to Withrod Lake about one-half mile from home. At that time, it was illegal to swim in the lake but everyone did anyway. As we approached the lake I ran down, took off my clothes and jumped in. Ron was right behind me and he noticed the guard standing behind a rock. The guard was a man there for the purpose of stopping poeple from entering the water. Ron yelled a warning to me, I saw the guard and came out of the water.
I grabbed my clothes and the guard grabbed me. The guard looked at me and asked; "Who boy are you?".
I replied, "Me Mommy, Daddy boy". and at the same time Ron said, "Run Walter, run."
I took off on the run and the guard did not follow us. We laughed at that one too all the way home. Over the years Ron always mentioned that incident to me, saying, "Remember the Who boy are you incident?"

I always enjoyed going to Withrod Lake. In the winter the lake would freeze over and we would spend all day skating on the ice. Sometimes it would snow a lot over night and we would takes shovels to clear spots on the ice to skate and to play hockey. I remember coming home at supper time on many occasions with frozen toes. Sometimes we would go to the lake in winter at night and burn old vehicle tires to light up the area and skate on the lake.

Penny Loafers were in style for girls in the 1950's. My four sisters Jeanette, Vivian, Marilyn and Linda wore them and I always checked to make sure they inserted a penny into the small slot on the top center of each shoe. Below is a photo of a pair of penny loafers.

During summer holidays and on weekends in 1953 I worked as a telegram delivery boy in Halifax. Below is a photo of me in full telegram delivery uniform. The delivery boys would line up and were each given a pile of telegrams to deliver around town, mostly to the business offices. Ron got me that job and I really enjoyed it. Ron worked for the telegraph company for many years before he went into the insurance selling business.

We would actually sit in a semi circle and watch the radio as we listened to the broadcasts. Our eyes would be "glued" to the radio as we listened. Ron and I enjoyed listening to the Friday night fights and I would imagine the punches being thrown as they were described by the announcer.

A few of the radio programs we would listen to as we watched the radio were Fibber McGee and Molly and Amos and Andy

Another program that came for an hour once a week was "The House On The Hill" starring John and Judy. This was my favorite program to listen to although at this time I do not recall the details of this radio program.

Ron and I also enjoyed listening to the radio program called "Boston Blackie". An announcer would start the program by saying, "Now we give you Boston Blackie, Enemy to those who make him an enemy. Friend to those who have no friend." And music would play and the story would unfold.

In the early 1950's there was a musical program broadcast on CHNS Radio in Halifax called Sandman Serenade. The host of the show was disc jockey Fred Hearn. Hearn would come on the radio once a week on Saturday nights and play the countdown of the top ten songs hits of the week. He would also accept phone in requests from listeners.

At that time my favorite musical group were "the Ink Spots" with Bill Kenny as the lead singer. So I would phone into the show and request a song played by the Ink Spots and Hearn would acknowledge my request.

Little did I know that a few years later I would personally know Bill Kenny. For the full story of my golfing relationship with Bill Kenny, refer to Chapter 21 of this book.

The year 1954 was a memorable one for me. At age seventeen I completed Grade ten at South Armdale School and began my summer by joining Brightwood Golf Club in Dartmouth. The yearly membership cost me a whopping ten dollars and I paid another two dollars for a locker at the golf course. So I enjoyed several months of golfing. I would walk over a mile from home to catch the Halifax City bus to travel to get on the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry. Then I would walk one half mile to the golf course. I did this three or four times per week. I recall my first established golf handicap was 15. After several months of playing it went down to 9.

About a week before school started in September Dad asked me if I planned on going back to school. He did not say that I had to go to school. He gave me a choice by telling me that if I did not go back to school I would have to get a job.

The next day I went into the employment office in Halifax and got a job immediately. For several months I worked at Maritime Furriers storing and cleaning fur coats. My pay was $ 25. per week and from that I had lots of money to spend.

In 1955 the Angus L MacDonald Bridge connecting Halifax to Dartmouth was completed at a cost of eleven million dollars and I no longer had to take the ferry across the harbour.

I remember October 16, 1954 when Hurricane Hazel hit Halifax with strong heavy rain and winds of more than 100 miles per hour. We stayed indoors and came out the next day to view the damage and destruction left by the hurricane.

"Hurricane Hazel was the deadliest and costliest hurricane of the 1954 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm killed as many as 1000 people in Continued

One day in the summer of 1954 Ron and I were walking on Barrington Street in Halifax and we viewed a television set for the first time. We were looking in a shop window and saw a television set displaying a program in black and white. I was amazed at this "modern" piece of equipment.

The next year we had a black and white TV at home. I remember we would turn it on and the first thing that would appear on the screen was a test pattern

A test pattern was "a chart having various combinations of lines, squares, circles, and graduated shading, transmitted from time to time by a television station to check definition, linearity, and contrast for the complete system from camera to receiver. Also known as resolution chart."

We would play with the "rabbit ears" which acted as an antenna to get the test pattern set correctly. I recall at first there was only one channel to view on the television. Then later on another channel was added. It was a few years later when we got a color TV.

In 1955 and 1956 Ron and I used brylcreem to "slick down" our hair. It was the going thing to use on men's hair during those days. The brylcreem commercial played a lot on television at that time.

Ron and I loved to eat the chocolate bar Coffee Crisp. During this time it was only made in Canada and was known as "the best chocolate bar in Canada". It remained my favorite chocolate bar since that time. I would often eat a Coffee Crisp bar during a round of golf for many years.

The Coffee Crisp Commercial was also played a lot on television at that time.

One day in early May 1957 I came home from work and announced to mom and dad that I made a decision to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. They were surprised as I had previouly given no indication of doing so. After discussion with mom and dad they both wished me well and told me that they loved me and that I would always be taken care of. They gave me a wonderful blessing which made me feel proud of them and which left me with a feeling of excitement to be adventuring out into the world.

Later that day I spoke with my brother Ron who expressed sadness that I was leaving home. He gave me a big hug and told me he loved me and for me to take good care of myself. And so I left home on May 15, 1957 a new life to begin.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!
Here I am with mom & dad shortly after I enlisted.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Rear - right to left - Ron Morris (friend) Me (Walter Collins), Bill Campbell (cousin),
Jack Campbell (cousin) & Carl Campbell (cousin)
Front - Center is Jeanette Collins Bowers, the three girls left of Jeanette
and the male at end is unidentified.

CHAPTER 21

MY LIFE 1957 - 1977 - by Walter E Collins

In 1957 while employed with the Civil Service in my home town Halifax, Nova Scotia. I had a co-worker and best friend Wally Gallant (Wallace Francis Gallant 1936 - 1958). One day I came into work and Wally asked me if I would like to join the Royal Canadian Air Force with him. He told me he was going to the RCAF Recuiting Office to sign up at noon and that I could sign up with him if I wanted to. After thinking it over for a few minutes I make the decision to go with him to enlist. So within four hours after my sudden decision to join the RCAF I was actually signed up.

Upon returning home from work I announced to mom and dad that I had enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. They were surprised as I had previouly given no indication of doing so. After discussion with mom and dad they both wished me well and told me that they loved me and that I would always be taken care of. They gave me a wonderful blessing which made me feel proud of them and which left me with a feeling of excitement to be venturing out into the world.

Later that day I spoke with my brother Ron who expressed sadness that I was leaving home. He gave me a big hug and told me he loved me and for me to take good care of myself. And so I left home on May 15, 1957 a new life to begin.

One week later Wally Gallant and I were on the train heading for St Jean, Quebec for RCAF basic training. After six weeks of basic training Wally and I went our separate ways in taking further training towards job occupations in the military. After Wally completed his further training he was transferred to Bagotville, Quebec and in 1958 I received a newspaper clipping from my brother Ron stating that Wally was killed in a motor vehicle accident. Below is a photo of Wally Gallant and I taken in 1957.

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The following photo is me in Calgary in 1958 standing beside my first car, a 1946 Ford Super Deluxe V-8..

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In August 1958 I spent several weeks with my brother Bill and his wife Janice while Bill was stationed at Camp Borden, Ontario. Bill and Janice were living in the small town of Creemore at the time. Janice was pregnant and about to give birth to their first child, Walter Ralph Collins. Bill and I were celebrating Walter's birth as shown in the photo below. Bill was wearing my air force uniform and I was wearing his army uniform.

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Following is a photo of June & Jim Dustan and I playing cards in 1963.

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The following photo is of me in April 1963 at Frankslide, Alberta not far from Calgary. In April, 1903 Turtle Mountain collapsed and buried the town of Frank.

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The following photo is of me in 1963 looking out the window at the Glass House which is located on Lake Kootenay in southern British Columbia. The house was made of 500,000 bottles.

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In August 1964 my mother, Annie Grace Collins, came from Halifax to Calgary to spend several weeks with me and my family and we travelled around Alberta and British Columbia. Below is a photo of mom and I standing by our home at 629 - 54 Ave, S.W. and we were on our way to attend a Church service.

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For nine years I had been doing a lot of alcoholic drinking and on October 7, 1964 I had my last drink. Since that day Im have had no desire whatsoever to take another drink. Refer Chapter 18 "I Saw the Light" for the story.

In 1965 the RCAF military base in Calgary closed and I was transferred to RCAF Station Lancaster Park in Edmonton where I served for four years. Doris was able to get a transfer on her job with Alberta Government Telephones. Doris, June, Jim and I lived at 10748 - 133rd Street in Edmonton. June and Jim attended Ross Shepherd High School nearby. Below is a photo of Jim standing in front of our home.

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Below is a photo of the house at Green Gables which is situated near the first tee on the Green Gables Golf Course.

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Other golf tournament trips included Ottawa; Winnipeg; Gimbli, Manitoba (Sandy Hook and Northernaire Golf Courses); Brandon, Man; Saskatoon, to name a few.

In 1969 I requested and received a transfer back to Calgary. To do so I had to go to the Army military base in Calgary; 1 Service Bn.

In 1967 the three main services of Canada (Army, Navy & Air Force) became the Armed Forces of Canada with one basic dress uniform. The difference for me being at an army base was that the army was much more disciplined in procedures than was the Air Force. I had to exercise a lot of self discipline, especially on the parade square. Prior to army parades I took my rifle home at times to practice the drill movements, which were much more polished and exact than the rifle movements in the Air Force.

In 1969 I received the Canadian Decoration Medal recognizing twelve years of military service. The photo below shows me receiving the medal on the parade square in Calgary.

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Bill and I got to visit mom in the hospital every day for one week. Then we had to leave Halifax one week prior to mom's passing. Unbeknown to us beforehand, we were scheduled to take the same military phone leaving Halifax. The plane took us to Trenton, Ontario where Bill boarded a connecting flight back to Germany and I boarded a flight to Calgary. We were able to sit together during the flight from Halifax to Trenton.

Below is a photo of Bill and I with Michael Bell (Vivian's son) during that trip to Halifax.

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In the early 70's Doug had a special dog called Patsy. Below is a photo of Doug with Patsy.

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MY DOG PATSY
dedicated to six year old Doug Collins

When I was just a little boy
I had a faithful friend
Who was with me every day
Right up to the end.

My friend was my puppy dog
Patsy was her name
Wherever I went
Along with me she came.

We had a favourite game
We played most every day
Fetch the stick was its name
A game Patsy loved to play.

She loved to play tricks on me
Patsy was really cool
Like running out from behind a tree
When I returned home from school.

Whenever I came home
She was all over me
She loved me and me alone
It was plain to see.

Whenever I sat down
Patsy was always there
Close by my side
Next to my chair.

Night after night
She slept cuddled to me
Lying on my right
Sleeping peacefully.

Whenever I was sick
She gave me tender care
My face she would lick
Patsy was always there.

Whenever I wanted to talk
She would listen carefully
As together we would walk
My dog Patsy and me.

Then one day Patsy was taken away
And I was sad for awhile
I shall always treasure the memory
Of Patsy with a smile.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Upon arriving in Cyprus, it was late at night and I located the building where I was to be bunked. When I entered the building there were eleven other service men already there and I noticed there were twelve bunks separated by curtains. I introduced myself to the other eleven men who were engaged in drinking. One of them offered me a drink and I stated, "no thanks, I don't want one just now". {Note; At this time I had not had a drink in exactly ten years} I asked if I could have a soda or a glass of water. The reply was that there were no sodas or water to drink at that time. After socializing for about half an hour, I asked which bunk would be mine. One of the fellows pointed to the first bunk and told me that one was mine. I went to the bunk and made the bed and lie on it. The small area I had was separated by a curtain on three side and was next to the drinking area.

At that moment lying on that bed, I experienced the most extreme feeling of loneliness and fear. I was to be in this situation for the next six months and how would I get through all this.

I closed my eyes and expressed a prayer to God to take over my life as I was unable to do so at that time. Shortly I fell into a peaceful sleep and upon awakening in the morning I felt extreme joy and graditude and inner peace which stayed with me during the six months while in Cyprus.

Several months prior to going to Cyprus I was given a gift by a friend; Earl Nightengale's "Lead the Field" audio taped program. It consisted of twelve monthly lessons, one for each month, on how to be successful in life. Every night I played the tapes to myself with earphones on as I entered sleep and the messages kept repeating as I slept. This served two purposes; one, it shut out the distractions around me, and two, the programming of the messages entered my subconscious mind, which assisted me tremendously in my life after those sessions.

The Ledra Palace Hotel located in central Nicosia, Cyprus until 1974 was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. In July 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus and 380 occupants were rescued by the British soldiers from the hotel. One of my job responsibilities was a special assignment in which I took inventory of all the equipment in the Ledra Palace Hotel. This included an inventory of all the furniture in the many rooms at the hotel. Upon completion of my work I was given a letter for outstanding service which stated in part that I saved the Canadian Government many thousands of dollars. This was so because I found equipment and furniture which the Cypriot authorites were concealing.

While in Cyprus. I was given two weeks off to fly to the military base at Lahr, Germany. Doris flew from Calgary to be with me for the two weeks. We rented a car and drove all over Germany. We went to Munich and viewed that wonderful city. We went to Barvaria and saw the wonderful castles there. We drove to Innsbrook, Austria and toured that beautiful city. We shared a wonderful two weeks together.

May 1977 marked my completion of twenty years military service and I began to look for a job oportunity and retire from the military. With my Social Work degree I was seeking employment as a counsellor, preferably in the field of alcohol and drug counselling. In May, 1977 I applied for a counselling position with Shuswap Alcohol & Drug Programs in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Several days later I received a phone call from Dr M... informing me that they were prepared to offer me the position. At the time, I thought this was an unusual manner of hiring someone sight unseen without an interview. So I told Dr M.. that I would go to see him for an interview to get acquainted. Two days later I sat down at the Salmon Arm clinic and accepted the position.

Doris was quite happy to move to Salmon Arm since she had close friends living there at the time; Bert and Helen Ackerman and Norm and Clara Johnson. In 1975 and 1976 we were there visiting these friends and enjoyed playing golf at the golf course.

So on a Friday in May I worked my last day in the military and two days later on a Monday I was working my first day in Salmon Arm. For twelve years (to 1989) I held the position of Program Director of the outpatient Alcohol and Drug Program in Salmon Arm.

CHAPTER 22

THE CHRISTMAS CARD - by Walter E Collins

At Christmas 1959 I mailed Ron the Christmas card with cost me 15 cents and postage at that time of 4 cents. At Christmas 1960 I received the same Christmas card from Ron. I remember thinking at that time of what a very special thing that was for Ron to do. So the next year I mailed the card back to him. We continued to do this until Christmas of 2001 when I received the card from Ron. Ron passed away in June 2002 and so ended this wonderful loving connection between two brothers. Although the ritual ended on the physical plane I know it continues on the spiritual plane and this Christmas (2011) was my year to receive the Christmas card from Ron. It seems fitting for me to share the card with Ron's family and friends. I know Ron would have liked to share it with all his loved ones.

Ron wrote the word "CRASH" on the front of the Christmas card. In 1952, at age fifteen, I was involved in a bicycle crash. Since that time Ron used this word as a nickname for me.

CHAPTER 23

THE CHRISTMAS CAKE - by Walter E Collins

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Every year at Christmas mother would make her special Christmas fruit cake. I loved eating that fruit cake and it was always my favorite part of the Christmas dinner.

After I left home in 1957 each year at Christmas mother mailed me one of her special Christmas fruit cakes and I always delighted in receiving one and having it to eat on Christmas day. She always included in the package her home- made cookies and tarts. The mincemeat tarts were my favorite. I was always excited and thrilled upon receiving her annual Christmas package.

This was a very special Christmas gift for me to receive from my mother each year.

CHAPTER 24

REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF WILFRED COLLINS (1946 - 1952) - by Walter E Collins

Wilfred was born on Friday, December 13, 1946. He was the seventh of eight children born to our parents George and Annie Collins. Wilfred was a very quiet child and I loved having him around during his early years. When he was four years old he used to wander away from home and we would find him several blocks away from home. One day he fell backwards on an icy surface and hit his head.

The first sign of his illness occurred early one morning. At age five Wilfred was sleeping in bed between Ron and I when he suddenly went into convulsions. He was in a state in which his body muscles were contracting and relaxing rapidly and his body was shaking uncontrollably. Mom immediately placed a spoon in Wilfred's mouth so that he would not bite his tongue. The convulsions lasted for several minutes and stopped. It was later determined that he had an epileptic seizure resulting from excessive or abnormal activity of the brain. This condition manifested as a change in Wilfred's mental state and convulsions.

Wilfred was later admitted to the Nova Scotia Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. On occasions when we went to visit him, because of his mental condition, he did not recognize us. At this hospital Wilfred spent the remaining days of his short life.

On January 15th, 1952 while I was walking home from school at lunch time I met mom and dad walking down the road near home. Dad was formally dressed in a suit and tie and mom had her best clothes on also. They informed me that Wilfred had passed away and they were on their way to Halifax to make arrangements. They had to walk over a mile to catch the city bus. A taxi to the bus at that time only cost 50 cents yet they never thought to take the taxi. Mom told me that there was lunch prepared for me at home and they would be home later that day. I do not recall where Ron or my three sisters,(Jeanette, Vivian & Marilyn) were at that time. I believe my three sisters always took a lunch to school so they were probably there at noon time. Linda would have been four years old when Wilfred passed away and I believe she had stayed home that day in the care of grandma (Grandma Collins, dad's mother).

Wilfred passed away on January 15th, 1952 and he was buried in a graveyard in Halifax.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Thank you Wilfred for being my loving brother during your short lifetime.

Susan Delhaise: "Thank you Uncle Walter for this rememberence of Wilfred."

Douglas Collins: "Yes thanks Dad. Really looking forward to seeing you again! Love you."

Walter Collins: "Hi there uncle I was wondering if any one in the family has a pic of Wilfred for his ancestry page?"

Vivian Bell: "I thank you too Walter for posting this lovely rememberence of our little brother. I have a small Bible that belonged to Mom and in it she wrote on the Deaths page that Wilfred had died on January 15, 1952. I was home from school sick that day when Mom received the call informing her that Wilfred had passed away. Love Vivian."

Beverley Montgomery: "I remember Wilfred he was very young and would drag his little wagon up and down the street."

Walter E. Collins: "Thank you everyone for your comments on Remembering Wilfred. Much appreciated. Walter."

CHAPTER 25

I SAW THE LIGHT - by Walter E Collins

This is my story of events that transpired in my life during several years leading up to my last drink on October 7th, 1964.

At the age of 17 I quit school and took up drinking. At the age of 27 I quit drinking and returned back to school.

In the early spring of 1962, as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, I was stationed at Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

One morning around 3 A.M. I was awakened from sleep. The room was full of light although it should have been completely dark since the light was off and the blind was closed to shut out any light from the outside. As I sat up in bed, standing before me was the most beautiful presence I have ever seen. Standing before me in the room was a Being of Light. The light radiating from the visitor began to engulf me as I experienced a most beautiful peace. Never before or since had I felt such peace and love. My first thought was "Who are you?" "You are beautiful" "Take me with you." I was ready and wanted to go with him right then. I knew it as a 'him'.

At this point, I honestly believed the 'guardian angel' had come to take me away through a death experience. I felt extreme joy and happiness in knowing that I would be safe with this being.

"The presence spoke three words and only three words to me. "Change your ways." These words were spoken, not as an order or a command, but as more of a loving suggestion, as if it were my choice to 'change my ways'. Then the presence vanished and I fell into a most peaceful sleep.

Upon awakening in the morning, My first thought was "what a wonderful thing I experienced'. Then after a few minutes my conscious mind clicked into gear and I started to worry about the visitation.

At that time in my life I was doing a lot of heavy alcoholic drinking. So I figured the visitor was there to give me a warning to 'clean up my act' and 'repent' because I was going to die soon.

I was scheduled to fly from Calgary to Lethbridge, Alberta in three days for a golf tournament, so I figured that the plane was going to crash and I would die. The visitor had come to give me a warning. I made the flight, won the golf tournament (while still drinking) and the plane did not crash.

After the flight, I still thought that I would die soon, so I 'cleaned up my act' and stopped drinking. For twenty-six days. Then a few months later, in June 1962, on a Sunday evening in daylight, while intoxicated, I had a near death experience. I rolled my car and as the car flipped over, I fell out of the car as it fell on top of me. The only thing that saved me from being crushed to death was that I was lying in a ditch. The next thing I knew, I was floating above the vehicle and looking at it from above. The first thought I had was that someone was pinned under that car down there. As I soared closer to get a better look, I was back in my body.

Shortly, a car stopped and two men lifted the vehicle off me and pulled me out from underneath.

I did not die in that crash. However, the result of that crash was that I spent three weeks in the hospital and exactly one-hundred days off work. The heart specialist told me that I had a cardiac contusion (heart bruise) and that I was very lucky to be alive.

Well, after that experience I made a decision to stop drinking again. After all, after that experience, it would be insanity for me to drink again.

About two months later I was offered a drink. After thinking it over for a moment, the thought occurred to me. "One drink won't hurt me". So, against the heart specialist's recommendations, I started drinking again and continued to drink for another two years.

During the summer of 1962 I was given strict instructions from a heart specialist to rest a lot, not to play any golf that summer and not to drink alcohol. I remember drinking at the Airman's Club at RCAF Station Lincoln Park, Calgary and after having a few drink I would have to go to the back room and lie on the sofa to rest. I would golf two or three holes and have to rest. On September 1st, 1962 I married Doris Dustan and began my married life with Doris and her two children June and Jim. And I continued to drink for another two years.

One evening I was drinking a rye whiskey at the Trade Winds Hotel in Calgary. I ordered the drink and before the bartender brought it to me, I suddenly realized that I did not have enough money to pay for the drink. That got me thinking. Here I was, alone drinking at a bar, with my wife and two children at home and I thought of the insanity of what I had been doing with my drinking. The bartender placed the drink on the table and I told him I would pay him later since he was busy serving other customers.

Suddenly a voice in my head said to me. "Walter, that is your last drink. You don't have to do this no more."
Then I remembered the visitation I had experienced two and one-half years previously and the voice in my head repeated the phrase, "Change your ways".

I thought, 'Well, if this is my last drink, I am going to enjoy it. I drank it and walked out of that bar. At that moment, all desire to drink left me instantly. That was my last drink. To this day, I have not had any desire whatsoever to take another drink.

That day was October 7th, 1964.

I saw the light!

Today I received 14 congradulation e mails from fellow friends all over the world. I feel blessed in the fellowship of sobriety. Blessings to you, My Friends.
Walter Collins

CHAPTER 26

HOW I CURED PROSTATE CANCER, SHINGLES & CATARACTS
ALL CAUSED BY MERCURY POISIONING - by Walter E Collins

Please click on photos to enlarge

The following reference is taken from the Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions website.

"The most 'OVERLOOKED' source of mercury poisioning isamalgam dental fillings. These so-called 'silver' fillings are a death sentence - and there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for any dentist to EVER use mercury amalgam in the mouths of innocent children and ignorant adults. As far as your author is concerned, dentists who put mercury into innocent people's teeth should be indicted for 'murder' And that is precisely the reason the American Dental Association will NEVER admit the truth about mercury and fluoride!"

MY PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSIS

In July 2008 I had a surgical examination which consisted of twelve needle biopsies of my prostate by a cancer specialist at the Scripps Hospital in San Diego.

On 8/8/8 (Aug 8, 2008) I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. While the Cancer Doctor was going over the three page surgical pathology report, I immediately decided that I was going to get rid of this cancer that had invaded my body. I thought of my bout with alcoholism and how I beat that illness. Refer to Chapter 18 I Saw the Light

In addition, from 1998 to 2000 I was experiencing severe lower back pain. I saw a acupuncturist and a chiropractor in Vancouver and another chiropractor in Canyonville, Oregon where I was living at the time. None of these treatments seemed to help. One doctor actually told me that I was getting on in age and that I should learn to live with the back pain. I remember looking him straight in the eye and telling him there was no way that I would continue to live with the back pain. When I stood up to walk there would be a lot of sharp pain in my lower back. As soon as I sat down the pain would go away. I was unable to extend my legs while in bed at night. I had to sleep on my side in the fetal position with my legs folded close to my stomach. I did a lot of positive thinking and affirmations. Whenever I felt the pain in my lower back I keep repeating to myself, "The feeling is healing". I kept telling myself that I was in perfect health and that my back and my whole body was functioning perfectly. I refused to think about the so-called pain and I kept repeating to myself, "Thank you for my healing". "Thank you for my healing." I also used MSM and did a lot of walking and other exercises and I gradually and finally got rid of the lower back pain.

So I was sitting in the doctors office on that day (8/8/8) and after he finished explaining the condition of the prostate cancer he stated to me.

"There are only two choices for you to make to get rid of the cancer, chemotherapy or radiation."

I told him that I would never take either of these treatments and that I would find a way to rid myself of the cancer. He told me that he respected my decision and I never saw him or any other doctor since regarding this issue. I drove home that afternoon with a feeling of determination to rid myself completely of this thing called prostate cancer. With the exception of my wife Carmel, I never mentioned my cancer diagnosis to anyone, including members of my family.

During the next few months I read everything I could get my hands on regarding prostate cancer and cancer in general. Thank God for the Internet and the information I received from that source. One of the books which I found very informative was "The Cancer Cure That Worked".
Here is an excerpt from the book.

The following information relates to a simple cure for bladder and kidney infections, yet traditional doctors continue to prescribe antibiotics which do not solve the problem and oftentimes create adverse conditions in the body.

After several months of study and research on prostate cancer and after reading the book, The Secret I decided to not give notice to the prostate cancer. The following is taken from the book 'The Secret" from the chapter entitled, 'The Secret to Health' page 129.

One other thing I did was to use "the Ultimate Zapper" to kill parasites and cancerous cells in my body. Refer to the information on the Ultimte Zappper at the end of this writing.

MY SHINGLES CONDITION

The doctor prescribed the following which I took for the next seven days.

- valacyclovir pills qty 21 (take 1 tab 3 X day)
- lidoderm 5% patch - qty 7 (one per day placed on my back area
I went home, took the above prescriptions for the seven days and never saw the doctor again.

I went to the Internet again and read all I could about the condition of shingles. I found out that if I had taken the valacyclovir immediately at the outbreak of my shingles, it would have cleared it up. Since I waited four days to see the doctor, I missed the "window of opportunity" and consequently the condition did not clear up. Despite the two prescribed medications I took the burning sensations of the shingles did not go away.

Two products I used from information on the Internet were tamanu oil and shinglederm rescue plus creme. Using these eased the pain which would flare up occasionally. After several months until January 2012 I experienced daily mild buring sensations on my back and front of my chest. This condition cleared up completely after using the Ultimate Zapper. Refer below.

My shingles consisted of nerve pain and I learned that mercury affects the nervous system. I knew that the mercury poisioning in my body was the cause of the shingles.

The following is taken from the website: Eye Problems Related to Mercury

"The problem with mercury is that it affects our nervous system. Mercury accumulates in what we call end organs, like kidneys, brain, thyroid and eyes, and this is why it is detected on hair analysis It may contribute to cataracts, headaches, numbness and tingling, irritability, joint pain and autism in kids, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome and general allergies."

MY CATARACTS CONDITION

In March, 2002 (at age 65) I had laser eye surgery ay Global Laser Vision in San Diego. At the time I was glad to get rid of my glasses and felt that I would never need any more treatment to my eyes. The laser eye surgery gave me excellent vision for about five years. Then in 2007 I developed poor eye vision again. I recall driving to Vancouver from California and my night vision was terrible. In 2008 I went for an eye examination and found out that I had developed cataracts. I had eye surgery in both eyes which resulted in perfect vision again. From my research and study of mercury poisioning I determined the cataracts were caused by the twelve mercury fillings in my mouth.

The following is taken from this website: Eye Problems Related to Mercury

"The problem with mercury is that it affects our nervous system. Mercury accumulates in what we call end organs, like kidneys, brain, thyroid and eyes, and this is why it is detected on hair analysis It may contribute to cataracts, headaches, numbness and tingling, irritability, joint pain and autism in kids, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome and general allergies."

THE ULTIMATE ZAPPER

My wife Carmel and I have two dear friends Bryan and Joyce Crookston who live in the Christian Valley in British Columbia. Bryan had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and had determined his condition was caused by mercury amalagam fillings and the improper removal of the fillings. As part of his treatment for his condition he was using the Ultimate Zapper. After informing us of the benefits of the Ultimate Zapper I immediately obtained one and Carmel and I have been using it and receiving excellent results

The following reference is taken from The Ultimate Zapper

"The average person has 2 lbs. of parasites. Pathologists say they are the #1 killer. Dr. Thiel's study shows zapping can kill parasites. Studies show zapping can kill cancer. "

Carmel and I are on a detoxification program which includes killing the parasites, bacteria, viruses, etc that are in our bodies and to remove the "silver amalgam" mercury fillings from our mouths as soon as possible. I have ten of these fillings in my mouth. I had twelve and two had fallen out last year.

The following is taken from the following site. Parasites Bacteria, Viruses and Fungus

Dr. Clark says we should remove as many metals and chemicals from our lifestyle as possible, starting with our "silver amalgam" fillings, and kill the parasites, bacteria, viruses and fungus that are an important part of the pathological process since they are attracted to mercury and other toxic metals. THE MASTER CLEANSER DIET

I highly recommend the Master Cleanser Diet to aid the body during the process of detoxification. I have been using this cleansing diet off and on for the past 35 years with amazing results.

From 1977 to 1989 I held the position of Program Director of an alcohol and drug company in British Columbia and I used the master cleanser diet with people coming off alcohol and drugs, including prescribed drugs with excellent results.

CHAPTER 27

MY REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADES - by Walter E Collins

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

These Remembrance Day parades were held on Remembrance Day and several of them were performed in either downtown Calgary or Edmonton. Several were performed on the RCAF bases RCAF Station Lincoln Park in South Calgary or RCAF Station Lancaster Park north of Edmonton.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Below is a photo of me wearing my grey coat in the barracks. The grey socks I am wearing were standard military issue which were worn under the ankle high boots worn in colder weather.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

At that time my favorite musical group were "the Ink Spots" with Bill Kenny as the lead singer. So I would phone into the show and request a song played by the Ink Spots and Hearn would acknowledge my request.

Little did I know that a few years later I would personally know Bill Kenny. Following is my story of my golfing relationship with Kenny.

During 1960 and 1961 I was very fortunate to have had a personal relationship with Bill Kenny, the lead singer of the Ink Spots. We golfed together on numerous occasions at that time when we both lived in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I remember our first golf game together. After the game we went into the clubhouse for a soft drink. I scored 73 and Bill scored 77. His comment to me was.

"My goodness pro, I didn't know you could shoot this kind of game."

Bill called everyone pro while on the golf course. When he addressed me as pro it was with a special and dearing tone of voice that made me feel really special. Bill Kenny was like that. He made you feel special, no matter who you were.

Bill Kenny and I golfed together at Shaganappi Golf Course in Calgary. I remember one day we were playing the 14th hole which was about 155 yards over a gully. (The name of the hole was called 'the Gully'. I hit a drive which landed on the green and stopped about five feet from the hole. Bill commented to me, "Nice shot Pro".

Bill then took his shot which also landed on the green and rolled about one foot from mine. I then commented to Bill, "And a nice shot to you too Bill."

Bill looked over to me with a grin on his face and winked at me. At that moment I remember experiencing a wonderful feeling of closeness with Bill. I remember us walking together over the wooden bridge crossing the gully to get to the green. Bill was singing softly as he often did while between shots and I was thinking how wonderful it was for me to be golfing with him. Where else, but on a golf course, could someone like me (an airman in the RCAF) get to meet and spend time with a well known person; a person twice my age, at that. At the time I was age 23 and Bill was age 46.

We got to the green and I had the first putt at the hole, which I missed. Bill putted and made the putt for a birdie. Bill used a putter with a suction cup at the handle end. With this suction cup he merely extended his putter into the hole and the golf ball would attach itself to the suction cup and he did not have to bend over to pick his ball out of the hole.

So Bill plucked his ball from the hole as I held the flag pole prior to replacing it back in the hole. And Bill commented to me, "I got you this time Pro." We often experienced moments of friendly competition and I loved competing with bill. We were very closely matched in our golfing abilities at that time and we both carried a five handicap.

Our relationship was one of fellow golfers sharing our time playing the game we both loved. And Bill Kenny really loved the game of golf and was an excellent golfer. During the club championship one year (I believe it was in 1961) Bill lead the first day of play with an even par 70 round.

We never talked of his career as a singer and we never mentioned his music or his songs. The closest we came to doing so was when he mentioned performing with the band in Halifax, Nova Scotia, my home town.

Bill would often sing in a low voice as we strolled together around the golf course. In those days there were no golf carts. He would sing as if I were not there and I never spoke to him as he sang. I just walked along quietly with him and listened with a keen ear enjoying every moment. My favorite was "Whispering Grass. I loved to hear him sing that song and I believe it was probably his favorite because he sang it a lot between golf shots.

I consider myself blessed to have known Bill Kenny.

Because I never talked to Bill Kenny regarding his personal life or his life as a singer with the Ink Spots, I missed a glorious opportunity to know more of the man. I now wish I had asked him those questions. I am sure he would have confided in me much information of his life, his thoughts, and his relationships with other wonderful performers that he encountered along his journey as a singer. I wish (now) that I had taken at least one photo of Bill Kenny and I together at that time

During the summer months of 1960 and 1961 I played rounds of golf with Bill Kenny on numerous occasions; probably about twenty games in total. Each round of golf would take up five hours. This would amount to a total of one hundred hours that I spent in the company of this wonderful man. Certainly I was truly blessed to have lived at that time in the company of this wonderful master of song.

In the summer of 1961 I thought of having Bill do an evening singing performance at the RCAF Airmens Club at RCAF Station Lincoln Park in South Calgary. Bill informed me that he would perform for one evening for the fee of $ 500. At the time I thought this was a reasonable fee and I presented the idea to the entertainment committee who turned down the idea. Dispite my attempts to change their minds they would not budge. They felt that the fee was too high.

It was not easy for me to tell Bill of their decision. I know he would have loved to perform at the RCAF club. But it was not to be.

Thank you Bill Kenny for your kind friendship and acceptance of me as we journeyed together for a short time on our pathway through this life. I shall meet you again, up there, my Dear Friend, and you shall say to me, "Nice to see you again, Pro".

Bill Kenny (12 June 1914 - March 23, 1978)
passed away on my 41st birthday in Vancouver, B.C. - Walter Collins

Visit Bill Kenny on Facebook

CHAPTER 29

THE DAY I DID NOT CADDY FOR JOE LOUIS - by Walter E Collins

So on a Friday afternoon in July we paid our green fees and proceeded to the putting green prior to teeing off. This was to be my very first full round of golf. As we were on the putting green, the pro Kas Zabowski, walked over and asked me if I wanted to take a caddy job in fifteen minutes. I told the pro that we had already paid the green fees and that I did not want to caddy that day.

The pro stated to me that he wanted me to caddy for Joe Louis the boxer who would be arriving soon.

"Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 - April 12, 1981), better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949".

I turned down his request to caddy for Joe Louis.

I recall the feeling of excitement I had to be playing my first round of golf and I was determined to do so. I recall Joe Louis arriving by taxi and going to the first tee to begin his golf game with the pro. Joe Louis had to carry his own clubs for three holes before a caddy showed up.

Kenny and I teed off and were playing several holes behind Joe Louis and the pro.

To this day I have had no regrets about my decision not to caddy for Joe Louis.

CHAPTER 30

THE NOTE - WRITTEN NOVEMBER 18, 1952 - by Walter E Collins

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Following are comments about the note after I placed it in my photo album on Facebook in March 2011.

Walter Ralph Collins - "Awesome uncle!"

Geraldine Patey - "WOW!!!!"

Douglas Collins - "9:59 must have been one inspirational minute!"

Vivian Bell - "This note was hidden in the wall where a fold out ironing board was stored, I found it in the early 1970's when I lived there in the house for a few years. I am happy that I kept it for so long and found it again."

Vivian Bell- "I guess I should have said that it was a built in ironing board in the wall with a door to open to bring out the ironing board."

Walter Collins - "Yes, I remember placing this note behind the ironing board."

Walter Ralph Collins - "Who would have thought that one little note could create such a conversation between family 58 years later..what a wonderful surprise!"

Walter Collins - "I well remember that night when I wrote the note. My four sisters(Jeanette, Vivian, Marilyn, Linda) were upstairs in bed and I was with mom alone downstairs as she was ironing. And I was having a conversation with her. Since we had a big family it was not too often that I would be alone with mother.When she left the room for a few moments I placed the note behind the ironing board."

Geraldine Patey - "And can you remember what that conversation was about???LOL"

Walter Collins - "No. But I wish I could remember."

CHAPTER 31

THE COLLINS SWING - by Walter E Collins

My first memory of the swing was in 1944 when I was seven years old. I remember it was a warm summer evening and I was sitting on the swing alone. I heard dad talking to my mother as they approached the swing so I pretended to be asleep. I heard dad whisper to mother that I was asleep and that he was going to carry me to bed. Dad picked me up quietly and carried me into the house and tucked me into bed. I still recall the warm and tender feelings I experienced at that time.

In the suummer of 1945 we moved to 8 Fairview Avenue, Kline Heights, just outside Halifax and the swing was set up in the back yard.

Over the years many photos had been taken near the swing and many family members, relatives and friends have sat on the swing.

If you have a photo of the swing I would love to have it included in this story of the Swing.

Below is a photo of mom and dad standing by the swing. I do not know who the baby is that mom is holding. If anyone can identify the baby, I would appreciate it.

Note: Immediately after posting this story I received a message from my nephew Walter Ralph Collins, (my brother Bill's son) identifying the baby as his brother Ron Collins and that the photo was taken in 1965. Thank you Walter.

In this photo mom is wearing her Salvation Army uniform. She was always so proud to wear the uniform. I remember the first time she put it on. Her comment to dad was,

"George, now that I have my Salvation Army uniform, you will get your next." I remember dad smiling and I saw how happy they both were at that moment and I felt proud for both mom and dad.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

"Yes, that is Marilyn, looks like Mom is holding our little dog Lady. Wonderful photo!!!"
Vivian Collins Bell - August 2011

"It was a lovely surprise to see pictures of my sisters and myself along with my cousin Beverley when we were little girls! Love the pictures of other family members, as well. Pictures that I had not seen before now. Thank-you Walter for posting some of them!!"
Vivian Collins Bell - August 2011

The following Swing picture is of Annie Collins and Linda Collins Patterson taken July 1959 when Linda was eleven years old.
They are holding the pups of Ron's dog Lady with Lady watching.

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

"Really like this picture of Mom and Linda with our dog, Lady, and her pups."
Vivian Collins Bell - March 2011

"Another great photo! That swing really was something quite special!"
Douglas Collins - 23 August 2011

The following photo was given to me by my brother Bill Collins on May 17, 2012.
Bill received it from our cousin Inez Collins Starrett
Photo of Grandma Collins, Bill Collins and Linda Collins Patterson 1952
The Collins Swing can be seen behind Linda

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

Please Click on photo to enlarge!

THE COLLINS SWING - COMMENTS

Linda Collins Patterson: "Thank you so much. This is wonderful. So many wonderful memories.
I learned something new that being, the origin of the swing.
We called them the swinging chairs as kids.
Blessings and love
Linda

Walter to Linda" Hi Linda Thank you for your comment on the Collins Swing.
I never knew that the Swing was called "the swinging chairs".
That is a wonderful name for the swing. AKA "the swinging chairs".
Blessings to you. Walter.

Tim Bell: "Great story Uncle Walter. I remember that swing fondly, It most likely wasn't the original 1944 swing that I enjoyed, it was probably the version 2.0. I think we all spent many hours happily trapped in it's clutches.. .Great memories :-))"

Walter To Tim - "Thank you Tim. To the best of my knowledge the Collins Swing was always the original swing. I know it had to be repaired many times because it was made almost entirely of wood. I love the photo of you and Susan on the Swing with your grandmother."

....Geraldine Patey: "Great Swing story Walter, I remember that swing very well,many a good ride it gave to many people...and now i have a swing like it at my cottage...Love it!!"

.Walter To Geraldine. "Thank you for your comment. I am pleased that you actually have a Swing just like this one at your cottage. This will carry the tradition on."

.Walter Ralph Collins "luv the story's of the swing uncle the first pic of grandpa and grandma Collins with the baby ..the baby is my brother Ron 1965.."

.Walter To Walter. "Thanks Walter for identifying the mystery baby in your grandmother's arms. I wondered for some time who that baby was."

.Vivian Bell: "Great pictures and wonderful memories, for sure in regards to the swing that was always in our backyard. Thank-you brother Walter for this!!!"

Walter To Vivian. "Indeed wonderful memories we had growing up together and The Collins Swing was a truly wonderful thing for all of us. That is a wonderful picture of you, Marilyn , Beverly and mother. I love it."

Douglas Collins "Sounds like a fabulous and timeless dance step..."The Collins Swing" :-)"

Walter To Doug. Thanks Doug. A Great Comment. The "Collins Swing" has just become a dance step.
Create the words and we will put it all together and we will dance to it."

The following comment was received 16 August 2011
Chrissy MacDonald "I remember visiting Nanny and Grampy Collins, swinging on the swing and the smell of purple lilacs from the tree. A white picket fence, an old fashioned swing, lilacs and rhubarb. Beautiful."

Walter to Chrissy. "Thank you Chrissy for your wonderful comment on your Nanny and Grampy. Very appropriate to read this on the Memory of Nanny's birthday."

I thought of a special two weeks we shared in Europe together in 1974. I was stationed with the military on a six month peacekeeping tour of duty in Cyprus. I was given two weeks off to fly to the military base at Lahr, Germany. Doris flew from Calgary to be with me for the two weeks. We rented a car and drove all over Germany. We went to Munich and viewed that wonderful city. We went to Barvaria and saw the wonderful castles there. We drove to Innsbrook, Austria and toured that beautiful city. We shared a wonderful two weeks together.

Doris and I shared a lot of days golfing together. She loved the game of golf and loved to play. When we lived in Calgary we golfed mostly at Nanton, south of Calgary. When we lived in Salmon Arm we constantloy golfed there together. We would take holidays and travel around British Columbia and into the states. I thoroghly enjoyed our golfing sessions as did she.

Doris left behind a wonderful family of three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. I know her spirit is now in a beautiful place and we shall be there with her some day.

CHAPTER 34

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY PETER BLENDHEIM 2 December 2011 - by Walter E Collins

BLENDHEIM FAMILY PHOTOS

Please Click on all photos to enlarge!

Peter Blendheim

Peter, Marilyn & Walter

Peter Ivan Blendheim & Walter

Peter & Walter

Marilyn

Marilyn & Walter

Marilyn & Walter

Marilyn, Vivian & Walter

Susan, Paul, Walter, Vivian, Marilyn & Peter

Jeanette, Marilyn, Vivian & Linda

Marilyn, Jeanette, Joseph, Dad

CHAPTER 35

MUSIC BY DOUGLAS W.R. COLLINS

8 Track Pony - Music by Douglas W.R. Collins by Doug Collins

.
Click on photos to hear Doug play and sing

CHAPTER 36

I LOVE TO PLAY THE PIANO

Dedicated to Douglas W. R. Collins

I Love to Play the Piano

When I was just a little boy
Before I went to school
I loved to play the piano
And sit upon the stool.

'You play so well', they said
Although I was only three
Coming from withinside my head
It seemed so natural to me.

No one ever knew
How much I loved to play
Even as I grew
In my mind I play the piano every day.

And now I have my special gift
My own piano dear
And I can play the piano
Any day of the year.

CHAPTER 37

THE COURAGE OF OLE CHRISTIANSON

by Walter E Collins

Walter Ole Christianson 25 March 1966 - 23 July 1984

My son Doug Collins and Ole were born several weeks apart in March 1966 and were best friends during their teen years. They went to school together and played sports together. They played on a Salmon Arm Bantam hockey team in which Ole was the goalie.

(During Ole's illness the doctors placed Ole on chemotherapy. This cancer treatment had quite an effect on Ole's health and physical condition. It caused him to put on a lot of weight and his hair began to fall out. Despite his physical appearance Ole continued to attend school and graduated in 1984.)

That evening I thought of a minister friend of mine, Rev Ed Oldring, a United Church minister, living in Burnaby, who was performing prayers and healings for people. Rev Oldring had written several books, "I Work With Angels" and "I Walk and Talk With Angels"

I told Maureen of Rev Oldring and that I could contact him to see if he would be available to give Ole a prayer of healing. Maureen was agreeable and I placed a phone call to Rev Oldring.

Rev Oldring told me he was quite busy since the next day was a Saturday and he had several services to perform. After checking his schedule he told me he could come to the motel to see Ole at 2PM, after he performed a wedding ceremony and before officiating at a funeral service.

Rev Oldring performed a prayer of healing on Ole which took approximately one-half hour and left.

Shortly after Ole was walking around and asked if he could have Chinese food. So Maureen, Ole, Doug and I went to the Chinese restaurant and had Chinese food. We were all very surprised and delighted to see Ole eat a hugh plate of Chinese food. I had forgotten the year this occurred so I e mailed Maureen and asked her and I received the following message from her.

"Hi Wally.
"I think it was 1982, I will call Kelly (her son) and let you know for sure..
Wasn't that something that Rev Oldring did. Ole could not walk, and Rev Oldring took him into your room(I think) said prayers, and Ole walked back to my room, and then walked out for dinner, we had chinese food and Ole ate everything, and even took out take-out...and walked home..
Wally, Ole hadn't eaten for almost 6 weeks...WOW...I could go on and on.. What a wonderful thing you did for us.
I will talk with Kelly and e-mail you the year..
and blessings to you also M."

The next day I received another e mail message from Maureen.

"I got it Wally...WONDERFUL..what a good job you did.. and you and Rev Oldring did come into Oles's room and do healing..and he started to eat once again and his neck used to get so hot, we would put cold towels on it, and I phoned Rev Oldring, and he told me that it was nothing to worry about, that God was doing his healing on Ole..What a miracle....and that was what was supposed to happen...We went down in March of 82, and got back in June of 82... Such a nice memorial you put in Wally...Thank-you..M"

Maureen and Ole returned back home to Salmon Arm and Ole continued with his schooling and graduated from Salmon Arm Senior High in 1983.

Some time after the healing on Ole, Maureen told me that Ole was very excited over getting his health back and very grateful to me for arranging the healing session. His comment to her was:

"Did Mr Collins do that for me mom, did Mr Collins do that for me?"

On July 23rd, 1983 Ole passed away in a motor vehicle accident near Salmon Arm.

Rev Oldring officiated at Ole's Memorial Service with me assisting.

I spoke at the service of Ole's courage as a teenager while he was going through his illness. I remember stating that courage is the capacity to carry on despite fear, frustrations, illness, etc and that Ole had been a very courageous person.

I recall speaking from the podium at the church and looking out to see the church completely full of people, mostly teenagers, many friends of Ole. There were even people outside who were unable to get in due to the number of people gathered. I saw Maureen, Kelly and other family members and my son Doug sitting in front off to my left. I remember how proud I was of Ole and what an honor it was for me to say a few words about how courageous he was.

At the service I also spoke on several quotes from the Book, "A Course in Miracles". One of these quotes was -

HE LIVES

Last night I had a dream
In which an angel of light
Took me by the hand
And we floated out of sight.

He took me far away
To a golden land
Among beautiful flowers and trees
Lakes and hills of sand.

We sat on the hillside
Beneath a big oak tree
Everywhere I looked
I could clearly see...

Angels everywhere
Gathering for a celebration
The sight of all the angels
Filled me with elation.

And I heard music of the spheres
And heavenly chimes rang
And Gabriel blew his horn
And the angels sang.

And Jesus was smiling there
Along with Michael and Uriel too
And all the masters and angels
The gathering steadily grew.

In celebration of an angel
Who was given his angel wings
An angel returning home
"Welcome Home" the vibration rings.

And I saw Ole standing there
After receiving his angel wings
Beaming from ear to ear
'What joy so-called death brings.'

And the angels sang 'Amazing Grace'
In honor of Ole Christianson Dear
And he had a smile upon his face
And I was glad that I was there.

And I heard it proclaimed
"A life of only 18 years
A contract has been fulfilled"
And my eyes filled with tears.

"Blessed Be Angel Ole"
The angels sang with glee
Then I knew he had made the world
A better place for you and me.

Then the angel whispered to me
As my hand he released
"Go back to that other land
Return in love and peace."

And I awoke from that dream
And sat straight up in bed
With a better understanding of it all
And proud of the life Ole led.

And now I know there is no death and Ole lives on
In another realm, others to lead
An angel walking with the masters now
A master of light indeed.

For life on earth is just a visit
A stopover on life's highway
And when we depart it's meant to be
A celebration and a glorious day.

It's a celebration of joy in God's sight
When a loved one departs and moves on
Just a transition in the light
For he is not really gone.

For there are many mansions of God
Many inter-dimensions of light
Of each other, none higher or lower
All equal in God's sight.

And when we leave this earth
We ascend into a glorious light
What a wonderful thing indeed
To be with the angels in God's sight.

Walter Collins

CHAPTER 38

GOODBYE FOR NOW, SWEET BEAUTIFUL MOLLY SUNSHINE...

by Christine Collins Macdonald

Molly Sunshine in the snow

CHAPTER 39

COLLINS COVE METHODIST CHURCH - BURIN, NEWFOUNDLAND 1904

byWalter Ralph Collins

The undermentioned children purchased the Pulpit, Communion rail and the Chairs in the Rostrum. Also The window complete in the south end. Also The silver trowel presented to the Honorable R. K. Bishop
On the occasion of his laying the corner stone, 9th August, 1904

The window in the north end was erected from subscriptions collected from the residents of Burin District.
ELi Collins made a donation in his Childrens names George Walter Collins.. Winnifred Collins..

Most Newfoundland and Labrador residents lived near the coast at the turn of the 20th century and depended on the sea for their livelihoods. Roads were scarce and boats were the dominant mode of transportation.

Photographer: Holloway. Reproduced by permission of the Archives and Manuscripts Division (Coll. 137 08.02.014), Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL.

CHAPTER 40

THE COLLINS FAMILY CREST

byWalter Ralph Collins
taken from Walter's Collins Family Tree

CHAPTER 41

BAPTISM OF GEORGE WILLIAM EASTMAN - 1876 CERTIFICATE

byWalter Ralph Collins
taken from Walter's Collins Family Tree

CHAPTER 42

TO MY DEAR MOTHER - THE SWEETEST MILE

byWalter Ralph Collins
taken from Walter's Photo Album

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