Daniel Coll Obituary

Daniel was born on August 6th 1945, in Rochester, New York to Vera and Dan Coll. The Coll family eventually settled in their new home on Pine Street in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. As a boy, Danny had a fascination with "cowboys and Indians," donning a holster and silver toy pistol. This became his daily costume, even when dressed up for Easter Sunday. His Mom persuaded him to eat ravioli by convincing him it was made from buffalo meat. The woods, rivers, lakes, creeks, and swamps became his playground. Gone for hours every day with pals, exploring, fishing, catching frogs, salamanders, crayfish, and turtles. Growing up on Pine Street was a built-in family of friends. Where his great gift of storytelling probably began. By the time Danny got to high school he had many friends and more adventures, which led to more stories. Everyone he knew had a nickname. For a while, Danny was "Poncho" after his favorite shirt or "Spanky" from The Little Rascals. After graduating in 1964, alongside some of the funniest and most notorious characters in the history of Pompton Lakes High School, Danny enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Once back in the U.S., he married his high school sweetheart, June Jankowski, and later welcomed their baby girl Kimberly Ann. Danny and June moved from Pompton Lakes to their country cottage in Wantage, New Jersey where they lived for 23 years before retiring from PSE&G. Danny made the most of his time in Sussex County fishing and hunting. As well as showing off his amazing gardening skills on their 2 acre property surrounded by farms. He took meticulous care of his home, koi fish pond, and garden. Danny was a true lover of nature and animals. And enjoyed many hours on his deck and gazebo with his family. Through the years, Danny and his family were reunited with many relatives from Scotland, where his father was born. His kinship with his cousin Aileen stayed close, and she often visited. Aileen made it clear that Danny was her favorite. With a passion for golf and the joy he found spending time with friends, he and June moved to South Carolina. Along with their daughter Kim, son-in-law Rob and their grandchildren, Danny and Katie. In the coming years, more Pompton Lakes friends began relocating to the area. And the Pompton Lakes "Map" at Mulligans and a local cult was born. Daniel was predeceased by his parents, Vera and Daniel Coll. Survived by his wife of 54 years June, daughter Kimberly, Son-in-law Robert, Grandchildren Robert, Shawna, Danny and Katie Nicoll, and his sisters Arline Lowe, Karen Post and Valerie Coll. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in his honor. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 11:00 am at McMillan-Small Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Daniel Frederick Coll, please visit our floral store.