The Rev. Geoffrey Collis, an Episcopal priest of the Diocese of New Jersey, entered eternal rest Oct. 2. He was born in Red Bank and raised in Rumson, graduating from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in 1968. He earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration at Rider University in 1972 and his Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary in New York City in 1976 and was ordained that same year.
His entire ministry was served in the Diocese of New Jersey. His first call was a curate at Christ Church, Toms River, where he became priest-in-charge in 1979 until he was called as rector of St. James’ Church, Long Branch, where he served for 17 years. After leaving Long Branch he served in various positions at Christ Church, Somers Point; St. Andrews, New Providence; St. Peter’s, Barnegat Light; Trinity Church, Cranford; St. David’s, Cranbury; and Church of the Epiphany, Ventnor.
On the diocesan level, Fr. Collis served on the Ecumenical Commission for many years as well as serving on the Trial Court. He was dean of the Monmouth Convocation in the mid-1980s. He was also an associate of the Order of the Holy Cross.
He had many interests, including a life-long love of sacred choral music which began from singing as a teenager in St. George’s-By-the-River Men and Boys Choir. Travel was a great enjoyment and in the mid-1980s he made his first trip to England to meet his British relatives. Each morning started with the New York Times crossword puzzle.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Margaret (Cunningham) Collis, as well as his older brother Harry J. Collis. He is survived by his sister Diane West of Rumson; his sister-in-law, Margaret A. Collis of Winter Park, Florida, and four nieces, Heather Collis-Puro, Joy Shea, Stephanie Melli and Donna Scanlon, as well as nine great-nieces and nephews.
A private Requiem Mass will be celebrated at All Saints’ Memorial Episcopal Church in Navesink with interment in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Holy Cross Monastery, P.O. Box 99, West Park, NY 12493 or the Convent Community of St. John Baptist, P.O. Box 420, Mendham, NJ 07945.
Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, has been entrusted with the arrangements.Â
The article originally appeared in the October 15 – 21, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
