In Memoriam: Bruce Collins
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Former Editor/Owner of The San Pedro Sun passes
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It is with deep regret and profound sadness in our hearts that we announce the death of Mr. Bruce Collins. Mr. Collins, along with his wife Victoria, was the founder of
The San Pedro Sun. Through his hard work, portrayed so vividly in what once was the
Coconut Wireless, Mr. Collins paved the way for journalism on this small Caribbean isle. His inspiration motivated past owners Dan and Eileen Jamison and has continued to inspire present owners and editors, Ron and Tamara Sniffin. Mr. Collins and his dedication, coupled with his love for Ambergris Caye, will never be forgotten.
Bruce, Rest in Peace dear friend.
Dear Ron and Tamara,
Bruce passed from this earth on December 18th, 2009. He was diagnosed with cancer on November 13th and death came harshly and swiftly. I am sorry that he never had the opportunity to meet you two in person. He felt a closeness to you and he was proud of your work and the many ways you continue to expand and nurture our former baby, The San Pedro Sun.
Thank you for continuing to send your newspaper, we looked forward to receiving it every week. We were just like the folks in San Pedro, everything stopped when the paper arrived!
Bruce wrote his obituary and asked me to send it to you. Thanks in advance for publishing it.
Hopefully, I will visit sometime in the future and we can enjoy our times in the newspaper business together.
/s/ Your friend,
Victoria Collins
Bruce passed away after a short battle with lung cancer. He was born in Fort Kent, Maine to Donald and Janelle Collins. He was the youngest of three children. His siblings, Michael (Lolita) of Eagle Lake, Maine, and Jean (Harold) Kelliher of Las Vegas, Nevada survive him.
He grew up in Fort Kent and attended public schools. He received a B.A. in French from the University of Maine in 1961. He received a Fulbright Scholarship in conjunction with a Teaching Assistantship in France but was unable to accept it due to his commitment to the USAF. He was in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1965 as a 1st Lieutenant in USAF Intelligence. He then moved to California and was in the real estate business for 23 years. He and Victoria founded and owned The Forestville Real Estate Company. He served as the Russian River area representative on the Sonoma County Multiple Listing Board for four years. He was the president of the Forestville Chamber of Commerce for two years. In 1988, he and the love of his life, Victoria, sold their real estate company and moved to Ambergris Caye, Belize where they founded the newspaper The San Pedro Sun, which they operated for ten years. He served on the Island's Ambergris Caye Planning Commission. Their years in Belize were greatly appreciated and were the high point of their lives.
Victoria and Bruce moved to La Grange, Texas in 1999 where they purchased Bluff Manor Apartments. After selling the apartments, Bruce semi-retired and Victoria now works for the City of La Grange as the Main Street Assistant Manager. He was a member of the Fayette County Historical Commission. He also served on the Fayette County Appraisal Review Board in 2009.
He was predeceased in death by his parents, Donald and Janelle Collins.
He is survived by his wife of 28 of the best years of his life, Victoria of La Grange. He is also survived by four children, Joe Brickey (Barbara) of Fort Bragg, California, Greg Brickey (Laura) also of Fort Bragg, Jean Stevens (Steve) of Austin, Texas and Katy Brickey of Marble Falls, Texas; granddaughter Amanda (Jason) and great-granddaughter Sienna. He is also survived by Michael's (Lolita) children, his nephews Scott, Todd (Monica), Kurt and Shawn (Monica) and two great-nieces and two great-nephews. His sister Jean (Harold) survives him, in addition to her two children Harold Jr. and Mary Kate
A Remembrance will be held in Eagle Lake, Maine, in August at sunrise, when the loons are calling and the fog on the lake is rising.
This was written by Bruce Collins who loved his life.
San Pedro Sun
AmbergrisCaye.com 
