George John Collantes, 77 years old, of Bergenfield, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2024.
He was the beloved husband to Rosalinda (nee Isip). He was a dear brother to Lourdes and Antonio (+) Alvarez, Lilia and Manuel Cabanilla, Lenora and Richard Ramos, Gregory (+) and Ruby Ann Collantes, and Lorna and Jay Dorfman. He was a loving uncle to Richard and Yuzmary Alvarez, Jennifer and Jim Chin, Patrick (+) and Quennie Cabanilla, Angeline and Brian Sheridan, Carlo and Genevieve Cabanilla, Ryan and Kristen Ramos, Rochelle and Erwin Ching, Richard and Leslie Ramos, Allen, Kirsten and Cyril Collantes, and Julius Dorfman. He was a great uncle to Lexi and Avery Alvarez, Michaela and Joaquin Cabanilla, Cole and Isabelle Sheridan, Luna and Enzo Cabanilla, Isabela and Olivia Ramos, and Elijah and Emmanuel Ching.
George was born in Tanauan, Batangas, Philippines to Lydia (nee Consul), a fashion designer, and Gregorio Collantes, a former administrative law judge at the Justice of the Court of First Instance in Leyte. George graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. He worked at the Philippines Department of Tourism, where he was tasked with different projects at the Cultural Center Complex. He emigrated to the United States in 1985 and worked as a Medical Assistant at the Spectra Laboratories of Rockleigh, New Jersey for many years until his retirement. It is at Spectra where he met the love of his life Rosalinda.
George was a quiet, reserved person who kept to himself but was always there for the family, especially as “Kuya” to his younger sisters during their formative years and as “Tito Boy” to his nieces and nephews. His love for food made him an excellent cook, a passion that he and Rosalinda both share. He was also an early adopter of men’s fashion before it went mainstream: he was known to wear designer clothes, the best cologne, and the latest sneaker trends.
Visitation will be on Friday April 19th, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Frech-McKnight Funeral Home, 161 Washington Ave, Dumont, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 20th, 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Dumont, NJ. Cremation is private.
He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.