Dennis J. Colgan Jr.'s Obituary
Dennis J. Colgan, Jr. of Moorestown, passed away peacefully at home on December 24, 2024 with his family by his bedside. He was 84 years old. Born in Philadelphia on June 18, 1940 to Dennis and Mary (nee Gabrick). Devoted husband to the late Gerardine Mary Colgan (nee Sadler) who passed away on February 29, 2024. Loving father to Dennis (Christa) and Lisa Antonucci (Lawrence). Cherished Grandfather to Keri McClellan (Anthony), Dennis Colgan VII, (his fiancé Alexa Dolce), Alexis Antonucci (Alex), Nicole Colgan, and the late Michael Crossley. Cherished Great Grandfather to Penelope McClellan.
Brother-in-law to Helen Ercolani (Jack). Cherished Uncle to Melissa Feeley (Mathew), and John Ercolani III (Jillian), and their children Christan Feeley, Mia Ercolani, Luke Feeley, John Ercolani IV, Madison Feeley and Savanna Ercolani.
A graduate of Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia and then Temple University, he started his career with the United States Customs Service, now known as U.S. Customs and Border Protection. His entrepreneurial spirit took over and he left Customs to start a Customs Brokerage business – Barthco International Inc. His leadership, determination, and business acumen grew Barthco from a small local Customs Broker operating out of a trailer at the Philadelphia Airport to one of the largest privately held Global Logistics providers in the country, headquartered in the Philadelphia Navy Yard with 700 employees spread out over 12 offices throughout the United States and an overseas office in Hong Kong. Dennis was a highly respected Maritime executive and was recognized as such by his peers and industry associations, receiving Man of the Year awards from Holy Family University, the World Trade Association of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Maritime Society, the Maritime Exchange of the Delaware River & Bay, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and several others.
During and after his years at Barthco, Dennis also served on the Boards of Holy Family University, Nazareth Hospital, The Belt Line Railroad, and The Seaman’s Church Institute of Philadelphia. In 2018, Dennis was bestowed the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Holy Family University to honor his contributions to the public good. Dennis was known for his love and devotion to family and friends, for his generosity and advice to those who needed it most, and for his philanthropy and counsel where it could help the most. His life was full of exciting travel, wonderful memories, loving family, and truly great friends.
Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Thursday evening, January 2, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Riverton. Located at 103 4th Street, Riverton, NJ 08077. There will be another viewing the following morning, Friday January 3, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. also at Sacred Heart Church. Following the viewing Friday morning there will be a Funeral Mass Beginning at 11 a.m. at church. Burial will take place after mass at Lakeview Memorial Park in Cinnaminson. Located at 1300 Route 130 North, Cinnaminson, NJ, 08077.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to either of the following:
Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge (https://www.cedarrun.org/get-involved/donate/)
Cape May County Park & Zoo (https://www.capemaycountynj.gov/1693/14359/Your-Donations-are-always-welcome)
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