Gary Fagersten (1969)

I did not see much of Eddie after high school but during those East Brook JHS and PHS years he was great friend.  Lot's of fun.  Very good wrestler.  Always looking for a good time.  I'll never forget his Studebaker.  I'm not sure if that ride was ever registered with the State.  For sure it never passed inspection.

Corinne Fragala (O'Shea) (1970)

So many great and wonderful memories of Eddie!  Friends for many years and memories to last a lifetime.  You never can get used to not talking to old friends!  So many fun times - lots of laughs - great memories of Grimstad's - late night calls from Grimstead's!   It's so hard to think that you've been gone for so many years - I think of you often and my memories will last a lifetime.  Never ever have had a friend like you and never expect to.  You were there for me any time I needed a friend and I will never forget that.  I thought we'd grow to be old friends together.  I hope that you have found peace and are catching up with old friends and family.  I remember the Steudabaker - I could hear it from my house!  The races in PHS student parking lot, the trips into the city and so much more.  Rest in peace my friend.  Love to you always, Corinne

John Bremner (1969)

So sorry to hear this.I knew Ed in PHS but our best times were one summer when I was home frome college we worked in a factory together. It was 4pm til midnight..Then the fun began. What a great guy.

Cliff Steele (1969)

Thank you Corinne Fragala for marking the anniversary loss of one of the brightest, perceptive thinkers, and extraordinary physical persons our generation at PHS ever had-- albeit for far too short a time on earth. Eddie was my best friend; college room mate, team mate and Rascal Extraordinaire. Corinne and Kathy Reilly were his dearest female friends-- Tom Tillison & so many other guys were simply awed by his wit, toughness as a great wrestler and non- conformist of the 60's and all through his incredibly relentless 30 plus years as a quadriplegic  Eddie was literally hell on wheels. I still dream of him  I spent some of the most valuable moments of my life with him or thinking about him  what great times we had revolting, pushing the limits of any & all of societal restrictions. 

Not unlike so many special gift to our world, Eddie made his mark, displayed his leadership and fought the good fight when every challenge was unfairly hurled at him-- he learned to drive by sheer will to commute to Rutgers to finish undergrad; commuted to Seton Hall Law School to finish at the top; he was our inner strength and never let us give up-- regardless of the odds not to succeed. I became who I am in so many blessed ways because he was in my heart, my life, my family & friends .

For those who lost the chance to experience such a wonder I merely say-- there will never be another Eddie Collins. Thank you Corinne for your note- he loved you, Kathy and all of us like no other could .

Here's one for you " Ace"- I miss you so much. Love Cliff

Corinne Fragala (O'Shea) (1970)

Another anniversary of your passing has passed and as I did remember, time got away from me.  I think of you often and have enough memories to last my lifetime.  I always have a smile and a chuckle through reliving so many of our times together. We ALWAYS had a good time.  While reliving the good times I always remember the horrendous night when all of our lives changed  I never, ever forgot that night and have raised my kids to know how life can change in a second and to always think before you do anything   This was the lesson that they all grew up with and hopefully they reminded themselves of this throughout all the  experiences they have had   So much has changed over the years - many loses and bad health issues but I am so grateful that I have so many wonderful memories of our time together   Camping trips, trips into the city with you, get togethers with you and friends and many many memories   I had a great experience in high school and after with you - just want to thank you for all you were and still are to me  Rest In Peace my friend - Love, Corinne 

Corinne Fragala (O'Shea) (1970)

Dear Eddie.  It's me, CORINNE.   For some unknown reason I found myself at the "in memory of" section of this sight and saw the first time I posted here was 8/25 as it is today. So much has changed in the past 21 years but it was the last 18 months that has had the biggest effect on the world.  Terrible time - many people have suffered and lost love ones due to this pandemic we are living with now. Hard to remember how easy the past 19+ years before this was.  The pandemic were dealing with now really puts life in perspective.  I no longer take for granted the everyday gift of living is.   
I became a first time grandmother in April, 2021 and have lost my heart to this "miracle" baby.  He was so wanted and has brought so many love and joy to everyone in my family.   I miss you now as I did when you passed and have so many memories to sustain me. Life is passing so quickly now and I'd like to slow it down a bit to experience so much more.  I have been so blessed with Tim, my three children (all adults 40, 35 and 28), and now the love of my life, Michael Robert O'Shea - named after my BIL who passed away 8 years ago at 43.  I miss you every single day and often wonder how our lives would be with you still here.  I miss what could have been.  Much love to you my life long friend, Corinne 

Walt Jeffs (1969)

Hey, Ed, Don Moran called, he wants his floor jack back.

Corinne Fragala (O'Shea) (1970)

Dearest friend,  

Yesterday you were reunited with your "brother", Cliff who passed on his 71 birthday   How does that happen?  He has missed you so much so being reunited with you after all these years will make him happy    Such great sadness I feel after now losing both my "best buddies "   I'm alone with my memories now of the two of you but they are great memories that I will cherish and revisit often   May you continue to Rest In Peace and once reunited with Cliff may you both enjoy and continue your shenanigans   A lot to catch up with   Much love and sadness, Corinne