Charles Francis Collins

Charlie was born September 13, 1931 in South Amboy, graduating from South River High School in 1948 and Lehigh University in 1952 with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering; he was a member of the Theta Kappa Phi fraternity. He held a variety of positions with major corporations in the air conditioning industry before founding Haven Engineering in 1975.

Charlie was the beloved husband of Nancy Boehm Collins for 59 years, with whom he raised 4 children: Jean Fingerhut and her husband Howard, David Collins and his wife Donna, Emily Grasso and her husband John and Glenn Collins and his wife Nancy. He was a loving grandfather to his 8 grandchildren: Alex, Doug, Christopher, Leslie, Daniel, Jack, Luke and Brian. He is survived by 2 sisters, Claire Talan and Eleanor Barraclough.

Charlie’s joy in life was spending time with family and friends, traveling far and wide, playing golf, singing in several choirs, attending cultural events and solving crossword puzzles. He was a parishioner at St. Philomena’s Church for 55 years and was a choir member there for 30 years. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and businessman.

Charlie’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., on Friday, July 5, 2-4 and 6-8 PM. The Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be offered at St. Philomena’s Church, 386 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston, on Saturday at 10 AM followed by the entombment service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Philomena’s Sharing Office or the American Cancer Society.