Michael J. Collins, 65, of Holmdel, passed away peacefully Nov. 21, 2022, at Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel. He was born in Dublin, Ireland and proudly embraced his heritage.
Raised in Jersey City, Michael graduated from St. Peter’s Preparatory School and St. Peter’s College. He was a dedicated insurance claims manager for many companies in the industry, and in the mid-2000s spent many months on site managing hurricane responses in Florida and the Gulf Coast.
Michael had a great sense of humor, loved people, and was dedicated to his family and friends. He fondly took his family on road trips, visiting every state on the Eastern seaboard. He rooted for the Giants, Yankees, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He also followed Seton Hall basketball, becoming a fan of his son and daughter’s alma mater.
Michael enjoyed being on the water, including boating on the Navesink River, spending time in the family pool, and walking the boardwalk in Belmar, where he and his family spent summers at their home when he was young.
An avid music fan, he particularly enjoyed Bruce Springsteen, first seeing him in concert at the Palladium in New York City in 1976. Michael felt fortunate to have met Springsteen on a chance encounter in Lincroft at an ATM.
Surviving is his wife of 39 years, Nancy Lee Collins; their children, daughter Jennifer Lee, Holmdel, and son Michael Lee and his wife Mallory, Lincroft; and his brother and sister-in-law, John and Diane Collins, Hopkinton, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his parents, John J. and Mary L. Collins.
Visitation was held Nov. 25 at Holmdel Funeral Home, Holmdel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 26 at the Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel, followed by entombment at Holmdel Cemetery.
To share a favorite memory of Michael or send a message of condolence, please visit his page of tributes at holmdelfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the December 1 – 8, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
