I took this story from te Irving paper. My deepest sympathy to the family. Yes, life is indeed a very short ride.
Moncton MLA's son dies of rare cancer, age 13
Sean Christopher Collins was determined to live an active life despite his illness
The son of Moncton East MLA Chris Collins died early yesterday morning after a courageous battle with cancer, seven days after his 13th birthday.
Sean Christopher Collins was first diagnosed with a rare children's cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma four years ago and struggled with
it for the remainder of his young life, bravely fighting relapses after seeing the disease go into remission several times.
A close friend of the family told the newspaper yesterday the boy passed away at 2 a.m. in his own bed, surrounded by his family and a few friends.
"He told his mom and dad that he loved them, closed his eyes and was gone," he said.
The boy, who inspired thousands of New Brunswickers throughout his ordeal with his cheerful yet thoughtful demeanour and his determination to live an active life, is survived by his parents Christopher Michael Collins and Lisette Marie Richard and grandparents George and Melba Collins and Roger and Claudette Richard.
He leaves behind also numerous aunts. uncles and cousins as well as many friends.
Born on July 2, 1994, young Collins was a swimmer and skier and played both hockey and soccer until he was taken ill.
Even then, he continued with his love of sports and was well known to the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats, and the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, who recently declared him their number one fan.
He was also an accomplished musician and continued to ski even during his debilitating cancer treatments.
The boy's illness became familiar to most people in the Metro area after his father, Chris Collins, started a campaign in 2004 to improve a provincial government program that provides some assistance to parents who need to accompany their children to hospital for treatment.
Later, Chris Collins ran unsuccessfully in Moncton East in the 2003 provincial election, but won a seat on Moncton city council the following year and was elected the Liberal member of the provincial legislature for Moncton East in a byelection, after former premier and Moncton East MLA Bernard Lord left politics following his government's defeat in the 2006 provincial election.
Funeral arrangements for Sean Collins are in the care of Tuttle Bros. Funeral Home on Lutz Street in Moncton, where visitations take place tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m.
The funeral takes place at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Saint Augustine's Roman Catholic Church on Mountain Road.
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