GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Edward Henry Kollmer died late Thursday, June 11, 2020, at Fairview Hospital surrounded by his loving family and the amazing and empathetic staff and first responders.

He was born April 24, 1946, at Mercy Hospital Rockville Center, Long Island, N.Y., son to Henry (Harry) and Agnes Kollmer. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Sr. Patricia Kollmer, O.P.

Edward is survived by Jean, his wife of 46 years; sisters Carol O’Brien and her husband John and Mary Horton and her husband John; children Stephanie Fallavollita and her husband John and Matthew Kollmer and his wife Dawn; and grandchildren Caleb Kollmer, Maya Kollmer, Mia Fallavollita, Nora Fallavollita and Aaron Kollmer.

Edward attended Chaminade High School in Mineola, N.Y. He then attended St. John’s University, where he earned his BA in German. He then continued his education at Hofstra University, where he earned his masters in secondary education with a concentration in social studies.

Edward was an oarsman for St. John's University with his future brother-in-law, John O'Brien. After graduation, he went on to row for the New York Athletic Club, where he ultimately competed in Olympic trials in Montreal, Canada, in the two-man skulls with long-time friend Sandy Killen. 

An ardent runner, Edward ran in several marathons, including the Adam Helmer Marathon in Herkimer, N.Y, as well as competing in many Berkshire County races over the following decades.

Edward was a teacher for 42 years, beginning his career in New York, but he started the career he would be best known for at Mt. Everett Regional High School in 1976. He continued at Mt. Everett until his retirement in 2010, teaching both high school german and middle school math. He had a fulfilling career at Mt. Everett, where he helped to shape the lives of countless Southern Berkshire county students. He ran the gaming club at Mt. Everett for many of those years with partner teacher and long-time friend George Milukas. He spent evenings teaching and helping adults earn their high school diplomas, working with local programs run by long-time friend David Pottle.

A devout Roman Catholic, he was an active member at St. Peter’s Parish in Great Barrington, Mass., as a lector and was professed as a secular Franciscan on October 4, 2018.

He found fulfillment as he marched for years in the local Relay for Life as a cancer survivor and volunteered on Mercy Weekends at the Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass.

As time permitted, he enjoyed movies immensely, reading historical and spiritual literature, and gaming. Later in life, he discovered the opera with his wife, Jean. Ed could always be found with copy of Military History Magazine in hand and ready to play a good board or card game anytime, anywhere. 

Edward is best known by all for his kind, honest, genuine, positive, patient, and good-natured demeanor even when imparting the wisdom that "life isn't fair." He was always ready with a smile and mostly funny "dad joke." He loved to spend time with all his family as they did with him. 

A truly bright light in a sometimes dark world, he will be deeply missed.

Funeral notice: The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 18, 2020, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 19, 2020, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church in Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. William P. Murphy.  Burial will follow immediately at St. Peter’s Cemetery also in Great Barrington. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Edward Kollmer Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.  To send remembrances and memories to his family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com.