Obituary of Colin John Oates

Colin John Oates 

October 22, 1928 – December 29, 2024 

Colin passed away at University Hospital, London Ontario on December 29, 2024.

He left this, his retrospective of his life. A more “traditional” obituary will appear in the newspapers. 

Interment will be in the spring of this year at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Pointe-Claire / Beaconsfield QC 

The Oxford dictionary defines an obituary as the notice of the death of a person, often with a brief description of his life. Well, I am the best person to be able to comment on my life since I have lived every single moment of it. I am pleased to report that I have lived a wondrous life full of great interest, tremendous family and friends. It is my opinion that nobody could have had a better period on this earth than me – so please be envious, not sad, at my passing. 

My life began in Australia with the finest and kindest parents who prepared me and my beloved sister, Elaine, for the life ahead of us. At about 21 years of age, I decided that I wanted to experience the rest of this awesome world. After a very life-changing event, I confided to my parents that I wanted to experience life in North America and my father, who was associated with major shipping companies, arranged for me to sail on the Kaituna, one of the ships under his control. After a most exciting 8 weeks sailing across the Pacific and through the Panama Canal, I discovered that the U.S.A. had their quota of Australian immigrants. Plan B became my objective and that was the next port of call for the Kaituna: Montreal, Canada. I had one telephone number of a lovely family in Montreal who willingly offered me board and residence and lots of family love for the next couple of years. 

After meeting the love of my life, Joanne Campbell of Beaconsfield Canada, we decided that our lives were meant to be spent together, so 

we married on August 14, 1953. Joanne was the most beautiful woman this world could have produced. She completely understood me, was a fabulous wife, comfort and support, and a very caring mother for our three daughters, Suzanne, Deborah and Louisa. Her parents, and therefore my in-laws, Bob and Louisa Campbell of Beaconsfield were the finest and most generous persons God ever provided. The combination of all of these life supporters and advisors almost ensured that I could not fail to be successful in life. I therefore thank each and every one of them from my heart for how my life developed. It was not me, but them, in addition to many other future friends who laid the groundwork for many of my successes in Canada. I have been reliably told there were many. Even today, I recognize some of my original ideas are still being practiced and are still exerting some influence in the financial markets of North America. 

At this point, I want to make mention of the lights of our lives who blessed our family: our three grandchildren (Allyson, Rob, and Claire), and our great-granddaughter, Peyton. Each one brought joy and smiles to our lives every day. Your grandmother and I were so proud of everything you have been able to accomplish and have such hope for each of your futures. 

Much later in life, after the passing of my beloved Joanne, I met another fine lady, Suzanne. We were married in the chapel of our retirement residence and had a wonderful celebration of our nuptials on the lawn of Windermere-on-the-Mount. I was over-the-moon every day of our lives together and am saddened to have to say farewell after such a short time. 

Earlier, I mentioned “future good friends” as being great contributors to my life. To say the least, I was somewhat gregarious during most of my younger life (to which my many friends would say ‘Amen’) but this attitude inspired me to have a desire to help as many people and as 

much as I could. I think I became successful in that regard, especially when I had the opportunity in the firm A.E.Ames to train young men and women to become successful traders and ultimately business successes. Since this is a personally-written obituary, I would be remiss if I did not give a resounding THANK YOU to all of those persons who crossed my path during my lifetime: you all contributed to me being me. If it is at all possible to make future departure promises let me make one for all of you who are left with a blue sky above and green grass below: that if I arrive at the right place I shall forever hold out my hand to you all and when your time draws nigh just reach out, put your hand in mine and I shall give you a small tug to make that final step. By that time, I would have reunited with my darling wife, Joanne, and my daughter Deb, and maybe together we could all show you around the new joint. It must be beautiful – at least I have not heard of anybody complaining about it. 

Again to all THANK YOU and FAREWELL. It has been one hell of a ride. 

I’m Free 

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; 

I’m following the path God laid for me. Ah, yes, these things I too will miss. 

I took his hand when I heard His call; Be not burdened with times of sorrow, 

I turned my back and left it all. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. 

I could not stay another day, My life’s been full, I savoured much; 

To laugh, to love, to work or play. Good friends, good times, 

Tasks left undone must stay that way; A loved one’s touch. 

I’ve found that peace at Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; 

the end of the day. Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. 

If my parting has left a void, Lift up your heart and share with me, 

then fill it with remembered joy. God wanted me now, He set me free. 

by Janice M. Fair-Salters