Obituary of Alan G Rollins

Alan G. Rollins. A loving husband, father and grandfather. Disabled WWI Veteran, Corp VP, A good athlete, in retirement spent 15 year doing after school daycare. Alan Rollins, age 91, went to eternal life on Friday, June 2nd, 2017. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Bishop Janes United Methodist Church, 22 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, at 11:00am. Interment will follow at St. Bernards Cemetery, Bernardsville. For further information please contact Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, or to light an online condolence candle please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com. Born and raised in Hamden CT. Alan grew up during the Great Depression and stood in bread lines for food. Alan attended Hamden High School in CT and was captain of the football team. Alan left high school at age 17 to enlist in the US Merchant Marines during World War II. As a helmsman he steered ships with troops and ammunition to Algiers, Tunisia, Monaco, France, and England, and was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal. At sea looking for an enemy submarine he fell 200 feet out of the "Crow's Nest" and was disabled. When he was discharged from the Merchant Marines, Alan accepted a football Scholarship to the University of Illinois. Athletically he was captain of his high school football team, played on a victorious Rose Bowl Team, and played professional football in New England. He also played basketball until he was 65 years old, tennis until he was 77 and golf until he was 88 years old. While Alan attended the University of Illinois he subsequently achieved a Bachelor's degree, and later received his Master's Degree from Farleigh Dickinson University. In doing so he was awarded a Delta Mu Delta National Honor Society certificate and medal. Alan also served on the Business Advisory board at Farleigh Dickinson University and was an adjunct professor at the County College of Morris. Alan was engaged in numerous activities. He founded and chaired ACT – the Association of Caldwell Taxpayers, served on the board of the Somerset Hills YMCA, and was a Board member of Somerset Hills United Way. Alan was also an active Parishioner at Bishop Janes United Methodist Church in Basking Ridge. He was a trustee, served on the Pastor Bishop Committee, was on the advisory board, and was an usher. He also enjoyed traveling, and over time visited 38 countries around the world.