The Story of Gary Collins

by Shawn Collins on June 12, 2007

I’m taking the day off from affiliate marketing news to celebrate the life of my dad, John Gary Collins, who passed away five years ago today.

I put together a brief video, Call Me Gary, with some pictures and footage.

You may have never known him, but to know me is to know him. So check out CallMeGary.com to see where my madness originates.

{ 12 comments }

Wendy Shepherd June 22, 2007 at 12:55 am: Hi Shawn. I finally got to come over and watch the video you made for your dad. What a wonderful person he ws and I know he would be super proud of you today.

I also miss a Gary. My own father, Gary Brinker. He passed away from cancer when I was pregnant with my 3rd son, who is now going to be 8 years old next week.

Life holds an empty spot for the loved ones we lose.

Great job on the video. Thanks for being my friend.
Mark from Bloglyne.com June 16, 2007 at 3:14 pm: Shawn – That was good stuff – thanks for sharing the tribute, it was very touching.
Stefanie June 13, 2007 at 7:16 pm: great clip, shawn. had tears in my eyes after watching it and calling my dad right now. on a side note, you look just like your father. Now we know where you got the good looks.
Zac Johnson June 13, 2007 at 1:55 am: Great video Shawn, you and your father look very much alike. It’s very unfortunate that your father was not around to see what an amazing establishment you have put together in Affiliate Summit over the past few years and your value to the industry, but I am sure he always knew you were bound for success. I value every moment with my father, and thank you for reminding us how precious the time is with the ones we love and how little business and everything else means in the long run.
Andy June 12, 2007 at 11:31 am: What a lovely video, certainly brings a tear to your eye,

I think I’m going to quit work early today and have a beer with my dad.
Jim Kukral June 12, 2007 at 11:09 am: Great story telling Shawn. Your dad seemed liked a fun loving guy. I’m glad to have watched that tribute.

Now I see why you are you. Miller Lite’s on me in July, cheers.
Lisa Picarille June 12, 2007 at 10:46 am: Shawn,

What a touching tribute to a man that clearly touched the lives of so many. My father died at 52 (nearly 14 years ago) and I still think about him every day. Although I shed a fews tears watching the video, it also made me smile and remember all the good times. Thanks for sharing. You dad was clearly a special man.
Fraser Edwards June 12, 2007 at 10:30 am: What a great way to celebrate your Dad’s life. I watched the video and read the eulogy that you delivered too which was very touching. The photo of him at about 0:39 looks so like you Shawn! He seems like a great man and it was great to learn about him. Thanks for sharing this today.
Missy Ward June 12, 2007 at 9:20 am: What an incredible way to celebrate your father’s life. After watching that video, I realized that our dads would have definitely been good buddies, should they have known each other. Just finished letting out a few tears and left my dad a voicemail on his cell to tell him that I love him. Thank you for sharing this Shawn.
Jim Wagner June 12, 2007 at 9:11 am: Shawn,

Please change my greeting from Gary to Shawn. I know you’re name, just got confused for a sec. Sorry about that.

Jim
Jim Wagner June 12, 2007 at 9:08 am: Gary,

Thanks very much for sharing these very special images. You touched me deeply.

Your father seemed like a wonderful man, very loving and proud of his family. Modest, middle class, hard working, salt of the earth. It’s obvious from this clip.

I lost my mother in ’00 to cancer. I know how tough it can be.

Obviously you guys are baseball fans, Yankee fans. So am I. I grew up on the North Side of Chicago in a highrise building (my father’s originally from the East coast so we’ve been Yankee fans forever). We faced North on the 29th floor. My dad built this obnoxious antenna that you could see for miles so that we could pick up the Yankee games broadcast from Milwaukee at County stadium. It picked up the signal just fine. We used to watch the games on the balcony on this old black and white. Also, my father took me to see a Yankee game at old Comiskey Park, the last game Thurman Munson ever played. My dad’s 72. He won’t be around forever. Those are the memories I’ll remember.

Best to you and your family. What a nice tribute.

Jim
Ken Evoy June 12, 2007 at 8:21 am: Your dad left way too soon, Shawn. What a wonderful, touching tribute.

It will bring a tear to each of us who watches it, reminding us of our own dads, and that life can be much shorter than we think. Act accordingly.

Thanks very much for putting that together — the work and time it took speaks for itself.

All the best,
Ken Evoy