Obituary of Gilbert J. Collins

Gilbert J. Collins, 83, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home in Denville, NJ, on Thursday, September 11, 2025. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, service, and unforgettable memories shared with family and friends over his remarkable life.

Born on December 2, 1941, in Newark, NJ, to the late Elsie (Goeller) and Gilbert R. Collins, Gilbert was raised in Floral Park, Long Island, NY alongside his beloved sister, Joanne, forging memories that would last a lifetime. He graduated from Floral Park Memorial High School in 1959. A dedicated scholar, Gilbert earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from Hofstra University in New York. In 1963, he answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam Era. After his honorable discharge in 1967, he returned to New Jersey and settled in the Cedar Lake section of Denville.

A true entrepreneur and go-getter, Gilbert owned and operated a successful chair and tent rental company and worked as a stockbroker, bringing energy and dedication to everything he did. His vibrant spirit extended to his personal life, where he found joy in riding his motorcycle as a proud member of the Tri-County Motorcycle Club. Gilbert was deeply committed to his community, volunteering for many years at The Barn Theatre in Montville, participating in the Lakeland Squares Dance, and serving with the Denville American Legion Post #390. A lover of music, he was a member of the Rose City Songsters and an active participant in the Cedar Lake Community. You could usually find him chopping wood in his yard most mornings, followed by sitting, reading and enjoying a cigar by the lake. He truly filled his days doing the things that he loved.

Gilbert’s enthusiasm for life and his generous spirit touched countless lives, and he will be deeply missed.

Gilbert’s legacy lives on in the hearts of his cherished family: his loving sister, Joanne Behrens, and her husband, Webster Henry; his devoted niece and nephews, Bryan Behrens and his wife, Darlene, Kristen Wamhoff and her husband, Zachary, and Gregg Behrens and his wife, Lauren; his adored great-niece and great-nephews, Brandon and Justin Behrens, Minna Schill and her husband, Thomas, James, Thomas, and Liam Wamhoff, and Noah Behrens; as well as his beloved girlfriend Sue Chandler and many cherished cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Gilbert’s extraordinary life on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ. A Celebration of Life will begin at 6:15 p.m. Memorial donations in Gilbert’s memory may be made through www.inmemof.org to support the Denville American Legion Post #390. Please leave a condolence, add a gesture, or share your favorite memory here to celebrate Gilbert’s life.