John Collard

8/30/24

John "Buck" Collard, 74, of Twelve Corners Road, Niles, passed away peacefully after an extended illness with his family by his side Friday, August 30, 2024. He was the son of Thomas and Lucille (Lawton) Collard and a graduate of Skaneateles High School, Class of 1968.

John served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1973. He was an industrial mechanic at Nucor, formally known as Austeel, in Auburn for many years with perfect attendance and he was a volunteer firefighter for the Owasco Fire Department.

John always enjoyed a visit with friends and family. He had a flair for storytelling adding a touch of embellishment to every story. 

He had a lifelong love for racing of any kind, that he shared with his son, Joel and his daughter, Cherie. He was an avid fan of Syracuse Basketball and the Buffalo Bills. He was a wonderful father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle.

He is survived by his son, Harley (Rene) Collard; daughter, Avril (Jose) Cabassa; daughter, Cherie (Patrick) Avery; son, Joel Collard; step-daughter, Jacqueline (Bryan) Wahl; step-son, Mark (Karmen) Schafer; grandsons, Paul Regis, Andrew Regis, Alexander (Zoe) Avery, Ian Avery, Ryan (Maeve) Blatchley, Jeffery Schafer, and Luka Wahl; granddaughters, Olivia (Noah) Wojnar, Anna Cabassa, Natalie Collard, Katie Schafer, and Layla Wahl: great granddaughter Ophelia Avery; ex-wife, Margaret "Maggie" Collard; siblings, Joseph (Patti) Collard and Judy (Dan Ramsey) Shaw. He was predeceased by his parents Lucille and Thomas Collard, brothers, James and Seward Collard, nephew, Matthew Collard, and step-grandson Garrett Schafer.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, September 3rd from 4pm to 6pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home with a funeral the following morning, Wednesday, September 4th at 10am. 

Arrangements are with Robert D. Gray's Funeral Home, 49 Jordan Street, Skaneateles. Contributions may be made in John's memory to Hospice of Central New York and of the Finger Lakes, 990 7th N St, Liverpool.