Head Custodian succumbs to illness
By: Rebecca Tokarz
Friends and co-workers always knew they could count on John Colgate for just about anything. They said he would do his best to help them out and he always had a smile on his face while doing it.
"He frequently came to the rescue when the cars of teachers or parents were stuck in the mud or dangerously low on gas. He had a ready smile and a wonderful sense of humor," said Kathy O’Rourke, a Barclay Brook school guidance counselor and friend.
Mr. Colgate, 37, a resident of Hamilton, died Feb. 15 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Born in Harrison, N.Y., Mr. Colgate lived in Monroe since 1965, before moving to Hamilton 12 years ago. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4907 in Spotswood as well as St. Gregory’s R.C. Church in Hamilton. He is survived by his wife, Colleen Colgate, and a son, Dylan.
Mr. Colgate was a 22-year veteran of the Monroe Township School District, where he most recently worked as head custodian at Barclay Brook Elementary School until falling ill with cancer in March 2002. Mr. Colgate suffered from germ cell, a form of cancer that affects the lungs. The cancer spread since the original diagnosis, with adenovarcinoma and neuroendocrine last fall, two incurable forms of cancer that affect the cells.
Throughout his time in the district, Mr. Colgate became a popular fixture with co-workers and parents.
Barclay Brook Principal Carol Schwalje remembered Mr. Colgate as a hard worker who was always concerned about the welfare of the students.
"Preparing the school building each September for the students is such a monumental job that John did so well. He was always concerned about the safety of the students," Ms. Schwalje said.
Jerry Tague, director of facilities for the district, said Mr. Colgate was a key figure in the school’s recent expansion.
"He always ensured the kids were safe and education could continue," he said.
Second-grade teacher Pam Tortoriello said she would remember Mr. Colgate for his smile and his way with the school’s children.
"Johnny was a very special person. His smile was contagious and the children adored him. Walking through the halls just won’t be the same," she said.
Kindergarten teacher Lisa McHugh had children at Barclay Brook School prior to her teaching days in the district. She remembered when her daughter, Sammy, had to start first grade in a wheelchair because she had just broken her leg.
Because of the wheelchair, Sammy was unable to make her way to the cafeteria to have lunch with her classmates. Ms. McHugh would come and have lunch with her daughter daily. One day, she walked into an empty classroom.
There had been an assembly earlier in the morning. Mr. Colgate, not wanting Sammy to miss out on the assembly because she was in a wheelchair, took it upon himself to find a way for her to get to the gym, Ms. McHugh said.
With the help of two firemen who were at the school to give a presentation, the trio carried Sammy down to the assembly.
"It was real sweet," Ms. McHugh said.
Although Mr. Colgate remained hospitalized until the time of his death, friends and family gathered Jan. 25 for a dinner-dance benefit to raise money for Mr. Colgate’s medical costs.
With more than 200 family, friends and co-workers gathered for a night of dinner, dancing and music, more than $10,000 was raised.
With his passing, Mr. Colgate’s wife, Colleen, will use the money at her discretion, Mr. Colgate’s sister, Lisa Nelson, said.
Art Tostaine Jr. had been friends with Mr. Colgate since high school. He remembered his friend as an outdoorsman who loved to spend his spare time fishing. On the spur of the moment, the pair went on a fishing expedition, not expecting to catch any fish, but just looking for a good time.
With a bit of good fortune, the men caught a great deal of fish and Mr. Colgate spent his time boasting about their catch.
"John was going on an on about how we were going to eat good tonight, being a boastful fisherman," Mr. Tostaine said.
While on their way back to the trailer, the fishermen ran across a family who may not have spoken English. Mr. Colgate began to tell his "fish tales" to the family, who didn’t seem to understand much of what he was saying, Mr. Tostaine said.
Instead of moving on, Mr. Colgate retrieved some of the fish and gave it to the family before heading home. Mr. Colgate said he gave the fish to the family because he thought they were trying to catch their dinner and he wanted them to have ours.
"The family may not have understood John, but they knew he was their friend," Mr. Tostaine said.

