Chris Tom Collier, founder of the Kollecas House, fell asleep in the Lord on June 13, 2021 in the 99th year of his earthly life, preceded in death by his late wife Helen. He was the beloved father of Tom Kollecas (Diana), Melanie Collier, Ulysses Kollecas, Gregory Collier, Christina Summers (Charles), and Joanna Green (Richard). Grandfather to Christopher, Lauren, Kristin, Paul, Charlie, Blake, Olivia, Madelyn, and Ava. He is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, June 16th at Noon at St. George, burial will follow at Fort Lincoln Cemetery with immediate family.
Chris leaves behind a wonderful legacy of cherished relationships with friends and family. He was born in Elyria, Ohio; his parents hailed from the northern region of Epirus, Greece before immigrating to America. Out of high school Chris went on to serve in World War II in the United States Air Force. Shortly after the war he moved to the Washington area to attend George Washington University. One of Chris’ favorite ventures early in his career was when he started the ‘Hellenic Hour’ the first Greek radio program in the area. It was in Washington where he grew his passion for real estate and created the Kollecas Company. Chris’ ventures in the field of real estate both commercial and residential are too numerous to mention but they gave him much purpose that lasted well into his 80s. Chris was an avid golfer, teaching his children the love of the game he so enjoyed. He was an honorary member at Bethesda Country Club where he spent most of his leisure time mingling with his close friends and playing rounds of golf at any chance the weather would cooperate.
His greatest and most cherished accomplishment was his philanthropic contribution to the community by building the Kollecas House at Saint George in memory of his parents Anastasios and Olga Kollecas. The Kollecas House was built for visiting patients, mostly children from Greece that needed housing and support while receiving specialized treatment at the National Institute of Health (NIH).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to his living tribute the Kollecas House at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, donations may be made online (https://stgeorge.org/ministries-2/nih-kollecas-house/) or mailed to The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, NIH Kollecas House Fund, 7701 Bradley Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817.
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