Community Leader, Colin Wackett Passes
By John Swartz
A man who gave much of himself to make things better in Orillia died January 18, 2020 at the age of 84. Colin Baile Wackett had cancer and battled with it several times over 20 years. It didn’t seem to slow him down.
He was actively involved with Gymnastics Canada (President, Jay Goold Award, Special Achievement Award, Life Member), Ontario Jaycees Gymnastics Club (Outstanding Young Man), Huronia Ride for Dad (Chair), Prostate Cancer Awareness Group (Chair), the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 (President, Deputy Zone Commander, PRO, Presidents Award), Orillia Channel Cats (President) and the International Police Association (President, Life Member)..
Colin generously made himself available for many things and frequently appeared on Rogers TV as a program guest. He was an advisor for the Orillia Museum of Art and History/RogersTV documentaries commemorating World War One and Two.
Colin was chosen Orillia’s Citizen of the Year for 2016 and received the Confederation of Canada Centennial Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
Colin was born in St. Mary Borough, England and grew up in Greenford. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force at the age of 17. Following discharge he became a Bobby with the London Metropolitan Police. At the age of 22 he came to Canada and joined the York Metropolitan Police. Ten years later he left policing to become a life insurance, financial planning and group benefits broker. His last employment was as a funeral pre-planner at Doolittle-Carson Funeral Home and initiated a service to aid families with winding up a loved one’s affairs.
Colin is survived by his wife, Cathy, daughter Alex, nieces and nephews Colin (Cindy), Kim (Scott), Kerry, and Keith. He was predeceased by brothers Alan and Ken, son Mark and nephew Phil.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Homes, 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia, Thursday January 23, from 6 to 9 p.m.. and Friday, January 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at St. James’ Anglican Church, 58 Peter St. N., Orillia, Saturday, January 25, at 11 a.m.. Spring interment is at St. Andrew’s St. James’ Cemetery, Orillia. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 are asked to gather in the Doolittle Chapel for service on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Huronia Ride for Dad or Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34.
(Photo by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia and Submitted)
CORRECTION: Alex was misidentified as Colin’s son.