Edwin L Hollins

Ed Hollins, age 96 of Bradenton, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday July 09, 2022 in Bradenton with family at his side. Although he will be forever missed by many, he leaves behind his children and wife. He led a long productive life and enjoyed every minute of it. His family feels blessed to have had him healthy and with them for so long. Ed was born on July 17, 1925 at home in Trenton, NJ to the late Ethel (Slack) & Edwin "Leigh" Hollins Sr. He was preceded in death by his sister Louise (Jolly) Hollins & brother-in-law Jack Jolly. Ed is survived by his wife Leanilda "Toby' (Tobin) Hollins, Daughters Susan (Chas) Pagano & Judith (Lou) Caravelli, sons Ken (Diane) Hollins & Leigh (Janet) Hollins, Grandchildren Laura (Gary) Fuschini, Marc (Mary) Pagano, Louis Caravelli, Jessica (Joe) DiMaria, Daniel (Laini) Hollins, Ryan Hollins & Kristen Hollins, Great Grandchildren Ben, Nicholas P, Logan, Matthew, Nicholas D, Stella, Brody, Reese, Evan, Bryce, Lyla & Kylee. Ed is also survived by sisters-in-law Patricia "Patsy" Hoch, Joan Smith & Jacqueline "Jackie" Stillitano & many nieces & nephews. Ed grew up on Gladstone Ave in Trenton & was educated by the Trenton School System. After graduating from Central High School in 1943, he immediately joined the military (June 1943) to fight in WWII as an Apprentice Seaman in the US Coast Guard. His USCG service was very unique in that he was assigned to the USS Harveson DE-316 (May 1944), a Navy Destroyer Escort ship. DE-316 was manned entirely by "Coasties", there wasn't a Navy man aboard. DE-316 completed 10 convoy trips across the N Atlantic to Europe, where the main threat was German U-Boat submarine torpedoes. After VE-Day (May 08, 1945 Allied victory in Europe), DE-316 was ordered to be re-outfitted for Japanese Kamikaze attacks & sent to Pearl Harbor, which is where she was when Japan surrendered (Sept 1945). DE-316 then became part of the US & Allied occupational forces off Japan until returning to the US in December 1945. Ed was honorably discharged from the US Coast Guard in March of 1946. Ed returned to Trenton in 1946 and met his future wife Leanilda Tobin at a dance. They were married in November of 1947. They started a family, moving into a home Ed built with his father & friends on Jarvie Dr in Hamilton Square NJ in 1951. The family expanded to 4 kids. After the kids grew up, Ed & Toby moved to their Seaside Park, NJ "shore home" in 1982. They kept the shore home, but moved to Holmes Beach, FL in 1991, then to the Palma Sola section of Bradenton, FL in 2003. In 2005, they bought a mountain cabin in Blue Ridge, GA & since then have been "snowmountainbirds", spending summers in Seaside Park, fall & spring in Blue Ridge & winters in Palma Sola. A good life!! Ed, like his father, was a plumber by trade & was a lifetime member (1946-87) & former Business Agent (1967-79) for Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union #236 in Hamilton Square NJ. The union later became Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union #9 of Central Jersey. During his working years Ed was also a Hamilton Township NJ Plumbing Inspector (1953-63) & Chief Plumbing Inspector (1963-1967). Ed retired in 1987. Ed lived a busy productive life and was involved in many organizations. He was a life member of the Nottingham Fire Company in Hamilton Square, having served in many positions from Fireman to Chief of Department and Fire Commissioner (1957-82). Ed was also a life member of the Nottingham Hunting & Fishing Club in New Gretna, NJ. Other affiliations include; Masonic Lodge #270, Scottish Rite/Trenton, Crescent Shriners/Trenton, American Legion #24/Bradenton, Destroyer Escort Sailors Assoc, USCG Combat Vets, Hamilton Twp & Seaside Park Planning Board, West Manatee (FL) FD Pension Board, The Sun Coast FOOLS, NJ Beach Buggy Assoc member #528, among others. Funeral services will be held at Saul Colonial Home in Hamilton Square with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Trenton on Sunday July 24th. Visitation/Viewing will be from 10:00am-Noon, service at Noon, followed by a procession to graveside. Chief Hollins will take his last ride on the back of a 1928 REO Speedwagon Fire Engine. Please join us. The family requests that masks be worn by all attendees of the funeral services……thank you. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Deborah Heart & Lung Center (NJ), Tidewell Hospice (FL) or Fannin County Volunteer Fire Dept (GA).