Dr. James G. Kollar, VMD, peacefully passed on March 14, 2014. He was loved and loving to his last day and will be forever in the hearts of his family and friends.
Jim was an extraordinary man by all standards. In his youth, he played football and was Pennsylvania state champion in the discus. He played college football under Engle and Paterno at Penn State. He then secured his veterinary medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and moved with his wife, Marilou, to Virginia Beach to build what would become a successful practice in Princess Anne Veterinary Hospital.
Jim loved life and lived every moment to the fullest. He was incredibly creative in cooking, carpentry, architecture, gardening, repurposing, and being an all-around Renaissance man. He co-founded one of the first microbreweries in the country in Chesbay Brewing Company in the early 80’s. With the help of family and friends, he built and has continued his labor of love in a beautiful second home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the last 10 years of his retirement, Jim and Marilou have enjoyed world travel and reconnection with college friends.
His other defining trait was the intensity of his love of family and friends. His heart was as big as his spirit—which was immense. Jim is loved by his wife, Lou; his children, Jamie and Brian; his son and daughter-in-laws, Colin and Valarie; his two beautiful granddaughters, Evie and Madi; mother, Ann; brother, Frank among too many other family and friends to name.
He will be missed by all but carried in our hearts every day. His legacy of love, loyalty, and commitment will follow him forever. In lieu of flowers, an endowment to the First Colonial High School track and field program will be established in his honor. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 22, 2014 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church at 11am. Reception to follow.
We send our deepest sympathy to you, Lou, and your children..We will remember Jim as “bigger than life” and have fond memories of many “soccer days” spent together..May God hold you in His hands..
David and Ellen Walters
Dear Kollar family,
I only just learned of the passing of Dr. Kollar. He was our vet for some years when we lived at the Beach. We found him to be a very compassionate, gentle man. I was privileged to have taught his 2 children at Kingston Elementary School so I knew him as a parent, too. It was an honor to have known him in both respects.
Peace will come for all of you as it has for Dr. Jim. He’ll never be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Dick and Bobbie Klein