In Memory of

August (Gus) J. Colendenski

October 18, 1936 - May 12, 2016

Obituary

August J. Colendenski Detective with Union County Prosecutor who led organized crime unit and Port Authority detective, 79 August J. "Gus" Colendenski died on May 12, 2016, at RWJ University Hospital in Somerset, surrounded by his loving family.

Visiting will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2016, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, N.J. higginsandbonner.com. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, May 16, 2016, at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, Mountainside, N.J.

Born on October 18, 1936, in Jersey City, N.J., Gus moved to Cranford, N.J., in 1963 and lived most recently in Somerset, N.J.

He had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, first as a police officer and then as detective first grade with the Port Authority of NY/NJ Police Dept. He then went on to become an investigator with the Union County Prosecutor's Office, where he rose to the rank of detective captain and head of the Organized Crime Division. In both capacities, he received numerous medals and commendations while working with many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. In addition, he was a standout athlete in high school and had a short stint in the NY Yankees farm system.

Gus enjoyed spending summer vacations in Lake George and, after retirement, winters in Florida. He enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends and especially cherished time spent with his "11 grands."

Gus is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bernice (Kennedy); his daughter, Donna Corley and her husband, Tom; his son, John, and his wife, Bridget, and his daughter, Krisann, and her husband, Simon Bintley, as well as his grandchildren Meaghan, Sarah, Kelly, Robert and Caroline Corley, John, Julia, Bridget, and Caitlin Colendenski and Emily and Rebecca Bintley.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gus's memory to the if desired.

Published in Star-Ledger on May 14, 2016