Rip was more than just our friend, he was loved deeply like a brother. George first met Rip 20 years ago when they worked together installing drop ceilings. Rip had just gotten out of rehab and was still getting his life back on track. George and Rip became good friends, the kind of strong friendships that grow when people go through a life changing crisis. George introduced Rip to me and we developed our own friendship, too. Rippy was a funny, sweet, kind, generous soul. He LOVED music and he loved to be outside. He injured his back on the job, and when he switched jobs he re-injured his back and his current job did not cover his injuries, saying it was a pre-existing condition....that's when all of his problems began. But he had his demons. And those horrible demons continued to plague him, as many times that he was strong enough to shake them off. George would be there for him. Sherry was a wonderful companion to him; she gave her all to try to help him, be there for him. I heard from both George and his patient lady that he could be VERY hard to deal with, I was blessed enough never to see him in that state. I want to thank Sherry & Skye for taking such good care of my brother and friend, who I now know that he had been very unreasonable. What I only saw was the good side of him, the sweet silly little boy in him. I loved him so much. It is so unfair; he was finally getting his life together, and than the terrible accident came that took his life.
This is his newspaper obit.
Rip Collins, 49, of Vineland, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2009, at Cooper University Hospital In Camden. Born in Salem on October 1, 1959, he was raised in Pennsville and had resided in Vineland since 2001. Rip loved music and spending time outdoors. Son of the late Aaron Collins, he is survived by his mother, Sarah Collins of Penns Grove; his companion and her daughter Sherry L. and Skye Freeman of Vineland, with whom he resided; a twin brother, Skip Collins of Bridgeton; two sisters, Randee Collins of Fitchburg, Mass., and Norma Collins of Pennsville; and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral services will be conducted 11 am. Saturday in the Pancoast Funeral Home, 676 S. Main Road, Vineland, where relatives and friends will be received from 9:30 to 11 am.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to NAMI New Jersey, 1562 U.S. Highway 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902-3004. Letters of condolences and memorial tributes may be e-mailed to the family by visiting www.pancoastfuneralhome.com.
RIPPY, YOU ROCKED BABY!!!!!!
This is his newspaper obit.
Rip Collins, 49, of Vineland, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2009, at Cooper University Hospital In Camden. Born in Salem on October 1, 1959, he was raised in Pennsville and had resided in Vineland since 2001. Rip loved music and spending time outdoors. Son of the late Aaron Collins, he is survived by his mother, Sarah Collins of Penns Grove; his companion and her daughter Sherry L. and Skye Freeman of Vineland, with whom he resided; a twin brother, Skip Collins of Bridgeton; two sisters, Randee Collins of Fitchburg, Mass., and Norma Collins of Pennsville; and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral services will be conducted 11 am. Saturday in the Pancoast Funeral Home, 676 S. Main Road, Vineland, where relatives and friends will be received from 9:30 to 11 am.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to NAMI New Jersey, 1562 U.S. Highway 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902-3004. Letters of condolences and memorial tributes may be e-mailed to the family by visiting www.pancoastfuneralhome.com.
RIPPY, YOU ROCKED BABY!!!!!!
Rip was more than just our friend, he was loved deeply like a brother. George first met Rip 20 years ago when they worked together installing drop ceilings. Rip had just gotten out of rehab and was still getting his life back on track. George and Rip became good friends, the kind of strong friendships that grow when people go through a life changing crisis. George introduced Rip to me and we developed our own friendship, too. Rippy was a funny, sweet, kind, generous soul. He LOVED music and he loved to be outside. He injured his back on the job, and when he switched jobs he re-injured his back and his current job did not cover his injuries, saying it was a pre-existing condition....that's when all of his problems began. But he had his demons. And those horrible demons continued to plague him, as many times that he was strong enough to shake them off. George would be there for him. Sherry was a wonderful companion to him; she gave her all to try to help him, be there for him. I heard from both George and his patient lady that he could be VERY hard to deal with, I was blessed enough never to see him in that state. I want to thank Sherry & Skye for taking such good care of my brother and friend, who I now know that he had been very unreasonable. What I only saw was the good side of him, the sweet silly little boy in him. I loved him so much. It is so unfair; he was finally getting his life together, and than the terrible accident came that took his life.
This is his newspaper obit.
Rip Collins, 49, of Vineland, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2009, at Cooper University Hospital In Camden. Born in Salem on October 1, 1959, he was raised in Pennsville and had resided in Vineland since 2001. Rip loved music and spending time outdoors. Son of the late Aaron Collins, he is survived by his mother, Sarah Collins of Penns Grove; his companion and her daughter Sherry L. and Skye Freeman of Vineland, with whom he resided; a twin brother, Skip Collins of Bridgeton; two sisters, Randee Collins of Fitchburg, Mass., and Norma Collins of Pennsville; and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral services will be conducted 11 am. Saturday in the Pancoast Funeral Home, 676 S. Main Road, Vineland, where relatives and friends will be received from 9:30 to 11 am.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to NAMI New Jersey, 1562 U.S. Highway 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902-3004. Letters of condolences and memorial tributes may be e-mailed to the family by visiting www.pancoastfuneralhome.com.
RIPPY, YOU ROCKED BABY!!!!!!
This is his newspaper obit.
Rip Collins, 49, of Vineland, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2009, at Cooper University Hospital In Camden. Born in Salem on October 1, 1959, he was raised in Pennsville and had resided in Vineland since 2001. Rip loved music and spending time outdoors. Son of the late Aaron Collins, he is survived by his mother, Sarah Collins of Penns Grove; his companion and her daughter Sherry L. and Skye Freeman of Vineland, with whom he resided; a twin brother, Skip Collins of Bridgeton; two sisters, Randee Collins of Fitchburg, Mass., and Norma Collins of Pennsville; and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral services will be conducted 11 am. Saturday in the Pancoast Funeral Home, 676 S. Main Road, Vineland, where relatives and friends will be received from 9:30 to 11 am.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to NAMI New Jersey, 1562 U.S. Highway 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902-3004. Letters of condolences and memorial tributes may be e-mailed to the family by visiting www.pancoastfuneralhome.com.
RIPPY, YOU ROCKED BABY!!!!!!
