Pro-Active Automotive

Christine B. Collyer was born on April 11, 1967 in Boston, Massachusetts.  In High School, Tina was active in Youth Ministry—a trend she would continue for the rest of her life.  In 1986, Tina began her college years in Melbourne, Florida, while working at SeaWorld in the Education Department.  But her dream was not realized until January 16, 1996 when Tina became an Orlando Firefighter/EMT.  Tina was never one to rest on her  laurels.  She not only went back to school and became a Paramedic, but she got involved in every  aspect of the Orlando Fire Department and its community outreach. 

Tina taught CPR, First Aid, CERT, Citizen Fire Academy and Fire Extinguisher classes for the Public Relations Division.  She served on the Yearbook, Orlando Fire Museum, and Operation Fireball Committees.  She dedicated herself to the OFD Explorer Program, acting as the Sole  Advisor for many years and the Senior Advisor for many more. In addition, Tina  volunteered eight days a year for Dreamflight, serving as a paramedic resident for the terminally ill children from England.  She also volunteered for Central Florida Burn Camp, the Annual OFD Christmas party for Arnold Palmer Hospital, Extreme Home Makeover, Buddy Walk, and any other event that asked for OFD participation.

One of Tina’s proudest accomplishments was being a member of Orlando Fire Department’s Honor Guard.  One of the charter members of the Honor Guard formed in 1997, Tina served under Commander Dan Fleming her entire career and could be counted on to step up and serve whenever asked.  Even though Tina was passionate about her chosen career and her OFD family, she dearly loved her own family.

No one who knew Tina for more than ten minutes had not heard her speak with love about her niece Maya and nephew Ryan. She was quick with the stories and could whip out the cutesy pictures on a moments notice. When her brother moved out of state, Tina was devastated that Maya and Ryan would be so far away.  But she wracked up her frequent flyer miles traveling back and forth to see her two favorite people in the whole world.  One of her happiest days was when the kids “came back home.”

And no story of Tina’s life would be complete without mentioning her status as a “Grobanite”. Tina traveled all over the world to attend the concerts of Josh Groban.  Her shining Grobanite moment was when she won a phone call with Josh during a charity auction. Anyone else would be struck dumb, having an actual phone call with their idol. Not Tina. She talked a mile a minute, keeping Josh at a loss for words during most of the one hour phone call.

That was Tina… always giving, always laughing, always making anyone she came in contact with feel as though they were the most important person in the world.

 CHRISTINE COLLYER—LAST CALL—OCTOBER 12, 2008