Brian Gordon Bollinger, 80, of West Brandywine, Pennsylvania, formerly of Atlantic Highlands, London, St. Croix, Holmdel, Netherlands and Wall Township, passed away unexpectedly Nov. 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
Brian was born in Neptune to Henry and Mary Kelly Bollinger and grew up in Wall with his brothers Bruce and Al and sister Kathleen, where they enjoyed many family memories on their lake.
Brian attended Valley Forge Military Academy in Pennsylvania and later graduated from Wall High School, Class of 1962, where he met and later married his high school sweetheart Margaret Pierson.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed Officers Candidate School (OCS), Ranger and Airborne training. He later served with honor in the Vietnam War, continued his service in the Army Reserve, and was honorably discharged in 1980 with the rank of Major. Brian then earned a degree from Rider University and later attended Harvard Business School. He enjoyed a distinguished career in finance with Bankers Trust Company, New York, including responsibilities in the European and Asian divisions. He continued his career with NSCC/DTC in New York and London before retiring.
Brian enjoyed a wide range of activities, including time on St. Croix where he embraced the beauty, people and pace of the island. He was an avid fisherman, spending many peaceful hours at sunrise surf fishing on the beaches of Sandy Hook and Sea Bright. He truly enjoyed being an active member of the Wayside Skeet Club in Tinton Falls.
Brian is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Margaret; his beloved daughters, Jennifer and Lindsey and her husband Paul; grandchildren Annabelle and Matthew; sister Kathleen; and brother Al. He was predeceased by his brother Bruce.
Brian ate an apple every day, was an avid reader and lifetime learner, loved dogs – especially Henry and Samantha Belle – ice cream on Sanibel, low-test birch beer at Vic’s and living life fully. Brian was kind, gentle, smart and patient. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, everyone listened. It’s hard to do justice to the enormity and fullness of his wonderful life with these simple words. Brian was a blessing and his family will miss him dearly.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of his Life at 11 a.m. Dec. 6 at St. James Episcopal Church, 605 4th Ave., Bradley Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Brian to First Calvary Division Association at 1cda.org/scholarships/foundation-donations or Bradley Food Pantry at bradleyfoodpantry.org or Blessings in a Backpack at blessingsinabackpack.org.
O’Brien Funeral Home, Wall, is in charge of arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the November 21 – 28, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
