Scott Craig Collins
Obituary
Scott Collins, a resident of Prunedale and connoisseur of California, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 31, 2022. Born and raised in Stamford, New York, he was the second son of Rosamond and Clinton "Splint" Collins. Scott attended Stamford Central School, and after graduating in 1974, went on to study music and biology at SUNY Oneonta. Following a brief stay in Davis, CA, he moved to Gilroy in 1979 and began a four-decade career at Goldsmith Seeds, Inc. (now Syngenta Flowers North America); recently retiring after 43 years as the company's Seed Processing Manager.
After meeting at Goldsmith Seeds, Scott married Nancy Buchner and settled in Prunedale where they raised their two sons and turned a budding hobby into a small business, Echo Valley Orchids. Scott was an avid orchid grower and an accredited American Orchid Society judge. With expertise in orchid growing, hybridizing, and exhibiting, he became a sought-after lecturer and speaker at orchid societies across the state and nation. Scott created many notable orchid hybrids over the years and has won exactly 100 awards for his quality orchids and growing endeavors.
Music was another passion of Scott's, having played acoustic stand-up bass and electric bass in numerous local bands: Le Hot Club de Gilroy, Radar Rangers, and Sagebrush. They played many nights at the old Digger Dan's restaurant in Gilroy, many years of on-stage performances at the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, performances at Bluegrass festivals across the state, and even opening acts for Kenny Loggins, Riders in the Sky, Jesse Winchester, and others.
In addition to music and orchids, Scott also loved good food and fine wine. He was an excellent chef and enjoyed sourcing rare and exotic ingredients for elaborate family meals. He was well-read on all of the Michelin-starred restaurants of California and was looking forward to visiting many of them in his retirement. His wine collection was expansive and noted for containing many great California Pinots. Among his many interests, Scott was a rockhound who traveled the state collecting prized pieces of poppy jasper and other gems and minerals.
Scott will be remembered for his tender heart, his love for California, and his substantial mustache. He is survived by his sons, Garrett (Matt McIntyre) and Patrick, his mother Rosamond, brother Terry (Kandy), his niece Becky Garrison (Paul), great niece Honnah Garrison, and his ex-wife Nancy. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 11 at 10am, at Syngenta Flowers (2280 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA 95020).
Published in Gilroy Dispatch · June 8, 2022