John Collins
Monday
12
September

Visitation at Funeral Home

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monday, September 12, 2016
Kelley Funeral Home
125 Pitman Ave.
Pitman, New Jersey, United States
Tuesday
13
September

Mass

10:00 am
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Our Lady Queen Of Peace Church
161 Pitman Ave.
Pitman, New Jersey, United States

Visitation at Funeral Home

Kelley Funeral Home
125 Pitman Ave.
Pitman, New Jersey, United States

Obituary of John Joseph Collins

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John Joseph Collins was surrounded by loved ones when he died peacefully at home on September 8th after a long battle with cancer. John was born and raised in Philadelphia, and was a proud alumnus of St. Joseph's Preparatory School. He was a stand-out offensive lineman and linebacker on the Prep's varsity football team. John was a member of the class of 1950, but was stricken with polio during the fall of his senior year. After convalescing, John graduated from St. Joe's with the Class of 1951. While working on a Master's degree in English at Penn State he met the love of his life, Marilyn Patricia Grant, whom he married on November 24, 1956 in Metuchen, NJ. John and Marilyn recently enjoyed an early celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren. John was a devoted husband to Marilyn and selfless father to his five children – Chris, Tim, Beth, Cathy, and Julia. He was also cherished by his son-in-law, Tim McClain, his daughter-in-law, Elaine (Kanen) Collins, and grandchildren Grace, Philip, John, and Delia. John was the son of Dr. Bartholomew A. Collins and Julia (Barry) Collins; he was also pre-deceased by his older brother Philip and his sisters, Rita and Jane. Dr. Collins spent most of his career teaching at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University), where he co-founded the Communications Department. He received a doctorate in education from Temple University, and considered teaching to be the most important priority of his professional life. He was also deeply committed to his colleagues, and served as Chair of the Communications Department. John was an active member of Mary, Mother of Mercy parish in Pitman, NJ, where he provided many hours of service and will be deeply missed. John loved to fish, and thoroughly enjoyed many summers spent at the family's home in Sea Isle City. From early spring through late fall, Cap'n Jack could be found piloting his beloved "Navicula" off shore and through the waters of Ludlum's Bay in pursuit of his favorite quarry, flounder. The family freezer was always well-stocked, a testament to Jack's prowess at his favorite pastime. Visitation will be held at Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Avenue, Pitman, NJ 08071, on September 12th from 7 to 9 p.m. and again on September 13th, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Visitation will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, held at 10:00 a.m. on September 13th at Mary Mother of Mercy Parish (Our Lady Queen of Peace Church), 161 Pitman Avenue, Pitman, NJ 08071. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John's memory to Good Counsel Riverside Home, 116 Heulings Avenue, Riverside, NJ 08075.
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