Tony Collins, former Chairman of IWA Milton Keynes Branch and Chairman of Buckingham Canal Society, died on 27 December 2025, aged 89.

Tony was born at Patcham, near Brighton, to parents George and Kitty, who ran a garage where Tony helped as a child.  He left school at 15 to work in the garage.  The family moved to Holmwood, near Dorking, in the early 1950s.  While on Christmas leave from National Service in the Army, Tony stopped at the White Hart, Beere Green, where he met Diana. They were married in 1957 at Redhill. He spent his working life in the motor trade.

Early married holidays had been taken at Butlins holiday camps and destinations abroad, but a holiday on the Grand Union Canal hooked Tony.  After he retired, a Sea Otter narrow-boat was bought and named Westmead, and the search was on for a home with an end-of-garden mooring.  They settled on a house at Pennyland (part of Milton Keynes), to which they moved in 2000.

By the beginning of 2001, Tony had been co-opted on to IWA Milton Keynes Branch committee. He served as vice chairman from 2002, and as branch chairman from 2008 – 2010.  He was a relaxed but effective leader, taking an active part in all the branch’s activities, including its celebrated clean-ups.

[The photo, left, shows Tony after receiving a retirement present on standing down as IWA Milton Keynes Branch chair – by Les Franklin]