William (Bill) Kolesar Obituary

William (Bill) C. Kolesar, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2024 after a short illness.

Bill was born in Perth Amboy, NJ having lived there through his young life, later moving to Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Piscataway back to Perth Amboy and then settling in Monmouth Junction, where he lived from 1974 to most recently.

Bill graduated from Woodbridge Vo-Tech with a background in art. He served in the US Army, in the Corps of Engineers, from 1961 to 1965.He worked at EcoLabs in Linden first in the plant and then to a top certified forklift mechanic as he steadily grew with the company. He retired in 2009.

He was a member of the South Brunswick Lions Club, worked Community Unity Days, National Night Outs and Dardani's Haunted Trail. He enjoyed learning and working with his hands, making crafts, building something or working on his car. He was quick to jump in to offer his time and his knowledge.

Bill was an 1996 Olympic Torchbearer in the state of New Jersey. He was reluctant at first when told he was nominated, but when he received the letter from the Olympic Committee he was 100% committed; buying Olympic t-shirts for family members and training for this honor. He was smiling ear to ear carrying that torch and for years after. Even getting to share his experience and excitement with local children at Constable School.

As many who knew Bill knew him as an easy going man who has your back. Countless stories of him stopping to help strangers whose vehicles had broken down on the road and getting them on their way. Helping a neighbor out when their home burned down. He never hesitated to lend a hand.

Bill LOVED his coffee. He had a brain aneurysm several years ago and the only thing he asked for when he came out of surgery was coffee (he actually wouldn't stop asking for it). He thoroughly enjoyed being part of the ROMEO Club (Retired Old Men Eating Out) a regular rotating group of men (and women) who shared a table, coffee and laughs regularly at Dunkin Donuts on Route 27 in Franklin Park, that spilled over to lunches at local Indian Food restaurants, sharing his love of Indian Food. Over the years if someone was unable to drive themselves due to medical issues, he would pick them up so that they could still enjoy some time out of the house.

A few years ago, his brother Tom used a walker, his brother Bob was in wheelchair and Bill used a cane. He would pick each of them up, load up their walker and wheelchair, and take them out. One day he jokingly said to them "Who's going to help me when I need it?" Just another way he made light of a situation.

He was a country music fan (old school country music) but when Meatloaf came out with "Bat out of Hell", he appreciated the music so much we could hear it blasting out the windows from around the corner from our home when walking home from the school bus.

Even using a cane, and then a walker, may have slowed him down, but he went to the gym at least five days a week, only recently slowing down to three days a week. He joked when staff changed at the gym. The new person would always ask if they could help him and he would proudly say , "no, I work out here".

As Dad to Pam and Rene', "BEST DAD EVER" (that is Screaming it from the rooftops). Not a day would go by without us talking or laughing. He made our lives fun and we ALWAYS felt loved even when we moved out on our own. He never said no when he was asked for help, if he wanted to see the grandkids in a play, if he wanted to try a new restaurant, he was always game to go. That never changed as he got older, just give him a call and he was in for family game nights, day trips or just sitting and talking.

He loved his family fiercely and never let a day go by without telling us how much he loved us through nightly text messages.

Bill is preceded in death by his loving daughter Pam, late wife Barbara, brothers Tom and Bob as well as parents and many aunts', uncles and cousins.

Bill is survived by his loving daughter Rene' Gambino (James, husband), son-in law, George Berkery, grandchildren Gina (Jack Bianco, fiancée) and Julie (Ryan McKee, fiancée), as well as his step-daughters Lynmarie Fried (Uri, husband), their sons Brandon (Colleen, wife), Alex (Chelsea, wife), Barbara Crawford (Mike, husband), their children Evemarie and Casey, Joann Eberle (Kevin, husband) and their sons Ken and Vincent, Sharlene Sturman and (8) great grandchildren, Alexis, Elizabeth, Theodore, Jack, Wesley, Caleb, Charlotte and Elora.

Bill did not want a service or memorial and we are honoring his wishes.

We appreciate the amazing outpour of love and many touching stories, please keep him in your hearts and know he appreciated all of your friendship, love and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, please add one kind gesture to your daily life, It costs nothing to be kind, hold the door open, buy an elderly person a coffee, or show respect and love to all you come in contact with.

"Pay it Forward" If you are recipient of a kind gesture, do something kind for someone else. Rather than simply accepting and repaying the original good deed.