Ian Collet of Double Top Darts

It is with great sadness that I must share the news that Ian Collet passed in the morning of July 9th, 2012.

There are some people that you do not have to see and/or talk to every day.  It could be months, even years, and yet, when you meet, it is as if you last saw them yesterday.

Ian, and his wife Carol, are that type of people.

I introduced people to Ian in a blog on Double Top Darts, a store that is a fixture in the Brampton Darting Community.  Ian, himself, has been a fixture at the Royal Canadian Legion Dart League, Branch 609 since 1974. He played in many different leagues over the years and has most probably single-handedly introduced thousands of people, both local and further away to the game of darts.  He was my friend, and my mentor.

I can vouch of the many friends and loyal customers Ian had up in New Tecumseth, in Tottenham, Beeton and Alliston.

I last saw Ian a few months ago.  I was with my wife, Helen and my son, Alec passing through Brampton when I asked Helen if we could stop by for supplies.  As, seemingly, always, Ian was standing behind the counter with a big smile as he greeted me welcome.  I introduced Ian to Helen and Alec and we chit-chatted while Helen and I browsed for sundry dart supplies.  I asked Ian how he was, and he told me he was not well, but did not go further.  Alec engaged his new "friend" and was talking Ian's ear off, and Ian was entertaining my son by throwing some darts.

Alec has watched darts a few times with me on TV, but had never seen darts thrown live.

Helen and I brought our sundry supplies to the counter, ready to pay for them.  Ian gave my son a "beginner" set of darts and let him choose his own flights... we told Ian that we would pay for Alec's supplies, he said he would have none of that ... it is just the type of man he was.

A friend (who I had lost touch with for many years) contacted me recently and told me that Ian was very ill and we tried to set up a meet at Double Tops (as I have done hundreds of times over the years).  I couldn't make it, and did drop by a few week later, only to find the store closed.  I remember the uncomfortable feeling, a feeling of dread, but I, wrapped up in my own life and problems, went away without calling.  His daughter e-mailed me with news of his passing yesterday, and I have spoken with Carol, but I will never have the chance to speak to Ian again.  Brampton, Ontario and Canada has not only lost a great ambassador for the game of darts, we have lost a very good and giving person.

If you knew Ian, or know Carol and want to pay your respects,

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday July 11th at Andrews Community Funeral Centre, 8190 Dixie Rd., Brampton (corner of Dixie and Orenda, north of Steeles).

His Funeral will be held on Thurday July 12th, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Andrews Community Funeral Centre.

If you would like to pay your respects, but are unable to attend the viewings or funeral, you can leave a message on his on-line obituary.