October 24, 1953 - March 7, 2025
Thomas Benjamin Collings passed away peacefully in Stratford ON surrounded by family: his best friend and wife of 67 years Jacqueline (Tait), and 5 of his children: Chris, Tim (Jane), Rob (Anna), Steve (Vicki), and Luke (Chrissy). He is also survived by 2 daughters: Carmen & Patricia, 18 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
“TC” was born in Bradford ON and grew up working on the Holland Marsh with his father and grandfather. He graduated with a civil engineering degree from the first Engineering class at Western in 1958 and worked as assistant engineer in Middlesex County upon graduation. In 1961 he was appointed Perth County Engineer. Tom & Jackie raised their family + 180 sheep on a farm in Downie Township, thus beginning Chapter 1 of “Down on the Farm”.
TC loved to play sports growing up in Bradford (especially lacrosse and hockey) and coached minor hockey and baseball in Tavistock and St. Pauls. In 1993 he was awarded the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal for his volunteer work in the Stratford community including: founding member and Chairman of St. John’s pre-school, coordinator of the bus ministry at Memorial Baptist Church, and founding the Stratford Area Youth Center with Youth for Christ.
TC taught us to work hard and to play hard. He’d let you know if you weren’t giving 110%, but he also had an innate sense of fairness, and, for a tough guy, he was incredibly kind and empathetic. Next to working on the farm, TC liked nothing more than spending time with friends and family at the cottage on the shores of Lake Huron in Grand Bend. He was a community builder with thick skin and he will be greatly missed.
Visitation for friends and family will be held at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street Stratford, ON., Thursday, March 13, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A celebration of TC’s life will take place at Memorial Baptist Church, 113 Bruce St, Stratford, on Friday, March 14, at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. Private family interment to take place in Avondale Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Youth for Christ or Memorial Baptist Church through the funeral home. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com