Chester R. "Chet, Chetty" Collins Obituary (1921

Chester R "Chet, Chetty" Collins passed peacefully on January 18th at the age of 96 st Centrastate Medical Center, Freehold. Chet was born on May 14 1921 to Earl Collins and Myrtle (VanAiken) Collins. He was a lifelong Jamesburg resident and local business owner. He graduated from Jamesburg High School in 1939. He married his high school sweetheart Esther and had a daughter Cindy. Chet's work ethic began at a young age as he helped his father deliver Jamesburg mail by horse and buggy. He continued working during his high school years and eventually owned and operated a local gas and service station. Some of his many business ventures included one of the first Edsel dealerships, a Western Auto Parts Store in Jamesburg, a zoo called Jersey Jungle, Circle Free Ice Cream stand, apartment buildings, Jamesburg Texaco, Chevron and Gulf gas stations, Collins Laundromat, and his latest venture that is yet to completed, the Jamesburg Quick Chek. Chet spent close to a hundred years living in Jamesburg and only occasionally left town to enjoy time with his family at Spring Lake vacation home. He was a Freemason and belonged to the Hightstown-Apollo Lodge. He enjoyed an occasional round of golf but mostly enjoyed just being around his friends and family. During all his years he touched the lives of many people and built countless long lasting friendships. He was outgoing and had an amazing sense of humor that shined bright till the last day. Chet could work a room like no other and even if you didn't know him, you would soon be talking with him like old time friends. There were no strangers to Chet, just people he hadn't met yet. Six years ago he moved to Brookdale Living in Monroe, he was apprehensive about the move but after a very short time he ended up gaining a whole new extended family. He enjoyed the friendship of the staff and residents and this made his life there special, he will be missed by many but not forgotten. God bless you and we love you He was a loving husband and father that always put family first. He was a mentor, he was a friend, he was someone you enjoyed being around, but most of all, he will be missed. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Esther Collins of 52 years, his brothers Joseph Collins, and Earl Collins. Chester is survived by his daughter, Cindy Collins Vanderbeck and her husband Frank Vanderbeck, his grandson Robert Collins and his fiancee Danielle Forlenza, his nephew Tom Collins, his niece Joan Collins and her children Joseph and Janine. A funeral service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday January 23rd at the Lester Memorial Home 16 W. Church St., Jamesburg. Visitation for family and friends will be 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hoof Prints on the Heart 323 Sweetmans Lane, Millstone Twp., 08535. For more info visit www.hoofprintsontheheart.org.