Harley D. Collard
- May 25
- 2 min read
Updated: May 27
5/25/26
Harley Collard, 54, of Auburn passed away peacefully after
an evening watching The Simpsons, one of his favorite shows,
with his wife on Sunday, May 24th.
Harley was born in Dunoon Scotland to John and Margaret (Gormley) Collard. He was a graduate of Skaneateles High School, class of 1991, and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He worked at Nucor for more than two decades, most recently in purchasing.
Harley could always lighten any heavy moment with a joke or a jig. He had an amazing memory, perfectly recounting full movie scenes, including the actors, the director, and even occasionally acting out Jean-Claude Van Damme dance scenes for everyone's entertainment.
He enjoyed quoting Seinfeld, a passion he shared with his father, sister, and brother. Harley loved going to heavy metal concerts and hardcore shows, introducing the younger generation of his family to hardcore music and helping shape their lives. He considered it a perfect day if it ended in his backyard, with his wife, a bonfire, and a beer.
He was predeceased by his father, John Collard; his grandparents, Tom and Lucille Collard, John and Dorothy Gormley; his uncles, Seward and James Collard; and his cousin, Matthew Collard.
Survived by his wife, Rene Collard; his children, Ryan (Maeve) Blatchley and Natalie Collard; his mother, Margaret Collard; his siblings, Avril (Jose) Cabassa, Cherie (Patrick) Avery, and Joel Collard; his nephews, PJ and Andrew Regis, Alex "Jasper" (Zoe) and Ian Avery; his nieces, Olivia "Pickles" (Noah) Wojnar and Anna "Banana" Cabassa; his uncle, Joe (Patti) Collard; his aunts, Avril Ross, Barbara Collard, and Judy (Dan) Ramsey; as well as many cousins.
Calling hours will be held Friday, May, 29th from 4 to 7 pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
Harley, I am completely devastated. I love you forever since the moment we met.
Love Rene. Your forever wife.
There are no words to express what the loss of this man means to everyone who knew him, but especially to his beautiful family: Rene, Ryan, Natalie, Mrs. Collard, Avril, and Cherie, along with all of the extended family connected through marriage and children.
The best way I can express what he meant to me is simply this: Harley, you magnificent bastard, I love you, and I will miss you.
Cue up the Seinfeld, the death metal, and the movies. Chill the apple vodka and ginger ale. Throw some quarters on a pool table up there for us so that when I see you next, we can continue the party.
Love you.
Margaret, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Cherie (ladybug) and family.
So sorry for ur loss and the pain u are all going through. He in your hearts. So he will be with you always.
JOJO.
To all the family of this wonderful man so so sorry for your loss. His smile and laughter will be forever in my mind. The world was such a more beautiful place with him. Love to all.