George E. Collins

George Edward Collins, of Salem, NJ, departed this life after a brief illness on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. He was 73. George was born on June 18,1942 in Tallahassee, Florida, the 2nd child of Eliza and Manor Collins. His family moved to Delaware When he was a young child where he attended school, including William Henry High School, and made many lifelong friends. He served his country during the Vietnam era as a proud Marine earning several medals and commendations for his service. During this time he also married his high school sweetheart, Freda Piper Collins. They would go on to celebrate 51 years of marriage. After his military service, George moved his family to Salem, NJ where he worked at Anchor Glass until his first retirement. Finding retirement boring, he attended truck driving school and drove truck for C Harrell Trucking until his 2nd retirement. Never one to let grass grow under his feet, he taught himself Spanish in the last few years and earned his paralegal certification from Thomas Edison State College. George was very interested in bettering his community. He was a member of SCOPE during the 70's, became the first African American to run for Mayor of Salem in the early 80's, ran a youth boxing program, and was an active NAACP member holding the position of Chairman of the Legal Redress Committee at one point. In recent years, George was a member of the City Planning Board and The Port Authority. George is survived by his wife Freda of Salem, NJ, daughter Shirlyn Collins Battle (Craig) of Dover, DE, daughter Cornethia Collins Anderson of Dover, DE, son Darryl Collins of Bear, DE and daughter Wandulyn Collins of Quinton, NJ; Four grandchildren: Kiauna and Erica Collins of Dover, DE, Frank Anderson of Dover, DE and Sidney Battle of Silver Spring, MD. He has 5 great grandchildren. George is also survived by siblings Maynor Collins (Shirley) of Philadelphia, PA, Louvenia Collins Griggs (Herbert) of Richmond, VA, Vivian Collins of Richmond, VA, Charlie Wilson (India) of Smyrna, DE, and Ronald Wilson (Jackie) of Windsor, CT. He leaves numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and special cousin, Charles Bolden of Lakeland, FL to mourn his passing. He was predeceased by his parents, Eliza and Manor Collins, stepfather Charlie Wilson and brothers Andrew Collins and Dale Wilson. George was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend. He was a good man. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George E. Collins, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

George E. Collins

June 18, 1942 - August 4, 2015