Michael E. (Sonny) Kollar

MICHAEL KOLLAR, 76
PA officer taught Morse code

Wednesday, February 20, 2008
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Native Staten Islander Michael E. (Sonny) Kollar, 76, a retired Port Authority police officer, died Monday in Community Medical Center, Toms River, N.J., of cancer. Born in New Brighton, he moved to Port Richmond Center 38 years ago. He relocated to Howell in 2005.

Mr. Kollar worked for 20 years as a police officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, retiring in 1980. During that time he served at the Lincoln and Holland tunnels and retired from service out of Newark Liberty International Airport. Earlier, he had worked for six years as a bridge painter for the agency, having counted the George Washington, Bayonne, Outerbridge Crossing, and Goethals spans among his projects.

After retiring, Mr. Kollar worked for 10 years as a security manager for the former Engelhard Industries, Carteret, N.J. After leaving that job, he worked for a time at Richmond County Savings Bank. Most recently, he was employed at the Scrimmage Fitness Center for Men, Howell.

Mr. Kollar served in the U.S. Air Force as a staff sergeant from 1948 to 1952, stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War. He also taught new recruits Morse code and radio communications.

A graduate of Curtis High School, he returned to school in his mid-50s, taking courses at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Mr. Kollar was one of the pioneering volunteers of COP 2 COP, an organization dedicated to helping police officers and their families in crisis; the Piscataway-based organization began in 2000.

For his service with the group, including work during 9/11, he received a proclamation last week from New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine. Mr. Kollar was a former trustee of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed cooking, bike riding, fishing, walking his dog, Tiffany, and taking trips to Atlantic City with his wife, the former Florence Cordes. He also was fond of spending time at his son's restaurant, the Armory Inn, in Westerleigh.

"Whoever met my father instantly loved him. You could tell right away that he was a great guy," said his daughter, Daniele Papapietro. "So many people loved him. He always thought about other people before himself. He was our hero," said his son, Daniel Kollar. "He will be missed by many."

Mr. Kollar was a parishioner of St. William the Abbott R.C. Church, Howell. Along with his wife of 52 years, Florence, his son, Daniel, and his daughter, Daniele, surviving are his son, Michael; his daughter, Michele Ajar, and seven grandchildren.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Roch's R.C. Church, Port Richmond. Arrangements include cremation.