Personal Life: Faith, Family, Medicine and Art
Collis was active in both his local and the national Greek Orthodox Church, served on the Archdiocese Council for 20 years, served on the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and served as chair of fundraising for Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Cleveland Heights and the Hellenic Preservation Society of Northeastern Ohio. He and his wife were devoted patrons of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where they established the Dr. John and Helen Collis Annual Lecture of Ancient Greek and Byzantine Art.
Dr. and Mrs. Collis were also closely involved in the restoration and preservation and restoration of a collection of painted icons from the mid-twentieth century Mount Athos in Greece.
In more recent years, Collis enjoyed duplicate bridge and gathering with friends to play.
Collis’ faith, love of his patients, family, medicine and the arts were known to all who knew him.
In Remembrance
Due to COVID-19 concerns, a Greek Orthodox funeral was held on November 12 with only Dr. Collis’ immediate family attending. Interment was at Orange Hill Cemetery in Hunting Valley, Ohio. The Collis family will hold a celebration of life at a later time.
He is survived by his loving wife Helen (nee Levas); daughter Maribeth (Steve) Lekas, son John III (Katey), grandchildren Michael Lekas, Andrea (James) Cappello, Kacey Collis, and Laina Collis and brother Dr. William Collis. He was predeceased by his brother, Foster Collis.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118; The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106; St. Herman House – FOCUS Cleveland, 4410 Franklin Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44113; and ZOE for Life!, 3352 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.
This wonderful man gave me back my life in 1980 when I was 30. After the surgery for the L5 disc, in 6 months, I was back on a horse, training and jumping again. God bless you and your family.
This incredible doctor saved my life. I was 13 years old. He found a blood clot pressing upon my optic nerve. He found it. I was told the blood clot was caused by a blow to my head. I had severe headaches that were so painful that a number of aspirins would not relieve any pain at all. When I would take a step, my head would throb. I was starting to lose my eyesight. Was told this blood clot he found would cause me to go blind and eventually I would lose my life. He operated on my head. I believe, from follow up doctor discussions, the surgery took 12 hours. This man has been a hero in my life. I am certain he had an impact on many other’s lives. May our God hold him in His arms.