Obituary of Brett R. Collins

Brett Roher Collins

On May 16, 1972 in Camden, New Jersey, Florence and Mel Collins were blessed with a wonderful gift, a vibrant baby boy - Brett Roher Collins.  He peacefully transitioned into his eternal life on July 16, 2019, after a brave battle with MS.

Brett was raised along with his elder sister, Treca, in Moorestown, New Jersey.  He enjoyed an active childhood surrounded by a loving extended family and close, faithful friends.  It was in the Moorestown school system that Brett’s special talents, wit, and creativity took shape.  He attended Pleasant Valley Elementary School, Moorestown Middle School and graduated from Moorestown High School in 1990.  Brett loved sports, playing basketball, football and soccer.  While in high school, Brett pursued many interests that fueled his passions later, being recognized in  Theatre Arts, acting in a number of theatrical productions, winning numerous   English awards, honing his skills in the martial arts, playing Varsity Football, coaching the Moorestown Recreation Boys’ Basketball league, as well as working for the Camden Recreation League.

As a high school senior, Brett surprisingly made the decision to join the United States Army.  The army was the likely choice, as he relayed, “he didn’t want to be in the air, and he didn’t want to be on water.” He shared that the Army would help instill perseverance, discipline, adaptability, and would afford him the opportunity to travel to other countries, as well as expose him to different cultures.  Brett was trained on the M1A1 computerized tanks for the Armored Cavalry Regiment.  During his military service, Brett was stationed in Fulda, Germany and was a Gulf War Veteran serving in Operation Desert Storm, being honorably discharged in 1993.

Brett took classes at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and later received a Bachelor of Science degree in 2004.  In keeping with his commitment to protect, Brett worked in security management for several establishments in the local area, however, his love for numbers and college finance classes led him to pursue a career in mortgage banking, as a loan processor and funder for PHH/Cendant and Option One Mortgage Corporations.  He worked in the mortgage industry for sixteen years, and found it very rewarding.

Brett had a heart for young people, both mentoring and tutoring through a program called Project Help, teaching leadership, academic achievement and cultural enrichment.  Brett loved spending time with family and friends and was sure to have you laughing in just a short time with him.  Throughout his lifetime he continued to love sports, especially college football, and if you weren’t a Notre Dame fan, you certainly would become one if you watched a game with Brett.  He exemplified fortitude, courage in adversity, as he faced the complexities of his illness.  He knew the Lord and our comfort is in his affirmation of that belief.

Brett leaves to cherish his memory, his parents, his sister, Treca Lynn Adams, his grandmother, June Norwood, nieces, Azalie and Mia Adams, aunt, Geraldine Mitchell, uncles, Ulysses Ervin Roher, Jr., William Thomas Roher, Rev. Dr. John Norwood (Tonya), Charles Bell, Jr., and a host of loving cousins and friends.

Lovingly Submitted,

The Family