It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the Chalela, Dunbar, Collins and Baker/Carter Families announce the peaceful passing of our loving husband, beloved father, devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Thomas Gyibli Collins III, fondly called “Tom”, “Bill”, or “TCJ”.
He peacefully passed away surrounded by family and close friends at Christiana Care Newark Campus Hospital on Friday, April 12th, 2024, in Newark, Delaware.
Tom was born on July 31st, 1960 unto the union of Thomas Gyibli Lawrence Robertson Collins and Sara Dunbar in Monrovia, Liberia. He attended elementary schools in Bomi Hills and Sierra Leone, part of his high school years at B. W. Harris Episcopal School and graduated from Wilson High School in Monrovia. Tom served in the US Army and was honorably discharged. He was an avid soccer player and loved watching soccer, football, and all type of sports. He loved to entertain and simply enjoy life. He will be sorely missed by many.
He leaves to mourn his passing his devoted wife Paula Chalela Collins; his children: Stephanie, Pelé, Nicholas (Serena) and Thomas Gyibli Collins IV (TJ); his grandchildren: Zuriel, Eyanah David “DJ”, Joey, Nicholas “Nicky”, Maiyra, and Elegance; his great-grandchildren: Skylar and Hajji; his mothers: Ms. Sara M. Dunbar, Ms. Martha A. Nickerson and Mrs. Arda V. Collins; his siblings: Sheryl A. Collins, Belle-Therese Diagne Pearson (Cleophas), Louis A. Diagne (Astou), George A. Diagne (Claudia), John A. Collins, Kelvin L. Jones, Sherif G. Collins (Felicia), Reina F. Smith Allen (Anthony), Danielle T. Smith; Gyivan S. Collins-Smith (Denorris), Augustiniak G. Collins and Sebastian K. Collins (Ella); a host of relatives and friends worldwide. His greatest treasure was his family and he was equally treasured by his family.
He was predeceased by his father: Thomas Gyibli Lawrence Robertson Collins “Boy”; his siblings: Diane W. Collins, Claudia T. Collins, William G. Smith and Hilary R. Cooper.
FUNERAL SERVICE:
Saturday, May 11th, 2024
Visitation
10:00am – 12:00pm
Visitation
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Pagano Funeral Home
3711 Foulk Road
Garnet Valley, PA 19060
REPASS:
2:00pm
The American Legion Post 926
3220 Concord Road
Aston, PA 19014
CONTACTS:
Sheryl A. Collins (Sister)
(507) 271-9455
Belle Therese Pearson (Sister)
(507) 202-8331
Reina Smith Allen (Sister)
(973) 420-3800
Sebastian K. Collins (Brother)
+231 0777-02-6127
