Gary Kollarus

Gary Kollarus, age 76, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024, at Joe Raso Hospice Residence in New City, NY, after a battle with cancer. During his illness, he was surrounded by an outpouring of love and support from family and friends, a true testament to the cherished person he was. Gary was born on December 21, 1947, in New York City, to his parents Eugenia and Bill Kollarus. Experiencing a special kind of love and care from his mom encouraged great pride in his Greek heritage and fluency with the language.

Gary was a devoted husband of 45 years to Wendy Kollarus before their divorce, and eventually a beloved partner to Pam Kraut. He is survived by his children, Danielle (Craig) Maslowsky and Chris (Christa) Kollarus, and his grandchildren, Karter, Nola, Carina, Callie, and Ciena. He is also survived by his brother, Curtis Kollarus, and his aunt, Violetta Comati.

Gary graduated from Francis Lewis High School in Queens, NY in 1965. Although he would later graduate from Queens College in 1975 with a history degree, his true passion was music, setting the stage for an exciting journey to come.

After playing with various NY rock bands in the late 1960s, Jay Traynor of Jay and the Americans asked Gary to play the drums in a band Jay was putting together. In 1968, the five-member band Great Jones was born; the name inspired by the group having rehearsed on Great Jones Street in downtown Manhattan. Show Business Newspaper described their sound as a blend of “... Blues, Memphis Funk, African and Latin rhythms.” Great Jones was soon signed to a record label, and pressed its first single, a cover of "I'll Keep It With Mine." Record World Magazine chose the single as their Single Pick of the Week. Great Jones first played at the Fillmore East on December 9, 1969, as part of its Tuesday Night series to discover new groups. On December 13th and 14th, Great Jones played four triple-billed concerts with B.B. King at Philadelphia’s Electric Factory. Shortly after, Great Jones performed four shows as the opening act for the Byrds, and by the end of December 1969, opened four shows for Fleetwood Mac. The record company eventually asked lead vocalist Jay Traynor and another guitarist to leave the band because the record company wanted the sound of a three-person band.

The new trio recorded their LP album “All Bowed Down” in early 1970. It included a mix of original compositions and cover songs. Following the release of their album, the band toured with Jefferson Airplane, performing throughout the US and Canada. After, Great Jones embarked on their “Southern Tour,” playing at venues like the Orlando Sports Stadium and the Jacksonville Coliseum. One highlight from Gary’s music career was when Great Jones was invited to open two high-profile evenings on September 11th and 12th, 1970, at the Fillmore East, kicking off two three-billed nights that also featured Delaney & Bonnie & Friends and headliners, the Byrds.

After the band broke up, Gary married Wendy Richmond, a self-proclaimed groupie from his years as a drummer. In the 1970s, Gary worked as a salesman for Levi’s Jeans and moved with Wendy to Crofton, MD, and later on, Valley Stream, NY, on Long Island.

Following the early death of his father-in-law, Irving Richmond, in the early 1980s, Gary took over Irving's trucking company, Boulevard Trucking Corp., to support his beloved mother-in-law, Ruth Richmond. Located in the Bronx, NY, the company transported grocery products throughout the tri-state area. For nearly four decades, Gary traveled to his truck depot and garage at 4 am Monday through Friday to support his family. Gary was known for his compassionate leadership, and for going above and beyond to support his employees. His infectious laughter and camaraderie fostered lifelong friendships, leaving a mark on all who had the pleasure of working alongside him, before finally retiring in 2018.

Gary and his family settled in Nanuet, NY, where he was often seen passionately cheering for Danielle at her softball and soccer games, and shuttling Chris to and from music lessons. Together as a family, they bonded on family vacations, sharing their love for sushi, sports, music, and the company of loved ones.

Gary embraced life, finding joy in his passions. As an avid golfer, he traveled both near and far to play with friends. His love and deep connection with music were embodied in his impressive collection of vinyl records and CDs. And with his many years of sobriety and unwavering support, Gary inspired others on their path to recovery.

Gary was cherished for his welcoming, affectionate, and caring demeanor throughout his life. Those close to him were recipients of his heartfelt gestures of love, like his familiar lobe and cheek ‘tweaks’. He found great joy in the company of family and friends, bonding over shared interests in music, movies, sports, and joke-telling. Gary also found immense happiness in his role as Pappous (“grandfather” in Greek). He loved spending quality time with his five grandchildren, creating memories that will last a lifetime. He delighted in showering them with affection, often administering "pappoucilin" as a remedy for any ailment. Known for his playful and loving nature, Gary had a knack for coming up with endearing nicknames for his loved ones, making them feel even more special.,

Gary will be deeply missed, and his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched.

“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make” - The Beatles

" Join us on June 19th from 4:00-6:00 at Patriot Hills Golf Club 19 Club House Ln, Stony Point to celebrate Gary Kollarus's life.

Please RSVP using this link https://tinyurl.com/garykollarus

ALL family and ALL friends are welcome to join a celebration of Gary's life. Food and drinks will be served! Guests are welcome to bring their favorite stories, photos, or memories to share."