Obituary of Barry J. Collins

Barry John Collins, age 85, passed away on Wednesday August 22, 2018. Barry was born on December 15, 1932 in Jersey City, the son of the late Helen and John Collins. He lived in Wayne since 1964 and was an active member of Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church. Barry graduated from St. Peter's College in 1955 with a BS in Economics. He worked for Leslie Company in Parsippany, NJ until 1986 when the company relocated its offices to Florida. Not wanting to leave his home state of NJ, Barry found employment at Norton Chemplast in Wayne where he stayed until his retirement in 1997. Barry was a manager of computer services and maintained a keen interest in technology, which he shared at his "job" at Our Lady of the Valley parish center. In his retirement years Barry loved spending his days at OLV helping establish the parish network center and implementing their new phone system.

He was a man of strong character and a tenacious personality thanks to his Irish/German heritage. Barry along with his beloved wife, Marcia went on to raise 8 children. Barry was a tireless father finding time to volunteer as a Boy Scout leader, softball coach, and PAL baseball coach. He also volunteered endless hours at OLV, working at bingo while his children attended OLV, and in later years working on the church newsletter and at the food tent for the annual bazaar – all of which brought him much joy. Barry was also a gentle giant. He would always be there for a friend, visiting when they needed company, driving them to a doctor's appointment or lending an ear for advice – and oftentimes, not even his own family knew what he had done. He was not one to seek out any praise.

Barry took his love for technology to create a family calendar every Christmas. He would begin in the summer months gathering pictures from his children and grandchildren and would typically be very stressed around Christmas time thinking he would not finish in time. But in the end, he would always pull through with a calendar that paid tribute to each of his 11 grandchildren and their cherished Grammy during the month of their birthday.

Barry was predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Marcia who he has now joined in eternity. He is survived by his loving children Barry Jr. and his wife Jeanmarie; Tim; Dan and his wife Jen; daughter Kathy; Ellen and her husband Michael Seebeck, Marybeth; Michael; Shelagh and her husband Bob Reilly; as well as cherished grandchildren, Sean and Kevin Collins, Collin and Vic Seebeck, Griffin, Heather, Liam, and Shannon Reilly, Paige and Madison Collins, and Kaitlyn Collins.

Friends are welcome to attend the visiting hours on Sunday, August 26 from 3-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church, 630 Valley Rd, Wayne and will be con-celebrated by Msgr. James O'Rorke and Fr. Peter Wells.

Interment will follow in St. Teresa's Cemetery, Summit, NJ.

Memorials donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Eva's Village Inc., 393 Main St. Paterson, NJ 07501-2815. www.evasvillage.org