Reginald Anthony Collier Jr.

Reginald Anthony Collier, better known as “Reggie/Reg”, passed away at the age of 66 after a long battle with an illness on Sunday, September 6, 2020 at Capital
Care Hospice Center in Maryland. Reginald was born on November 1, 1953, to Margaret Sampson and Reginald Anthony Collier at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, D.C.

He attended Phelps Vocational High School where he excelled in the ROTC Program and was the salutatorian of his graduating class of 1971. In 1972, with the encouragement of his mother, Reggie attended the Manpower Program sponsored by Mayor Marion Barry and learned the trade of Elevator mechanic. He began his employment at Dover, Westinghouse and later joined Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, WMATA, where he retired as a supervisor for Elevator and Escalator repairs. Reggie was very fond of two young engineers Gebremarian and Yohannes whom he supervised at WMATA. They considered him a mentor and welcomed him into their families; for which he was proud and grateful to hold such an honor. Reggie was extremely shy. Some people may have assumed he was aloof, only to discover as time passed, that he was a sensitive, kind and generous man. Although Reggie knew and was known by many people, he held a close set of friends. Ricky Washington, who he had known since elementary school, was like the brother he never had and was with him during his long battle with the illness. Calvin Joseph (CJ) who he considered his little brother, moved away to another state, but they still kept in contact over the years. Reggie also maintained close friendships with his supervisor Cedric Watson and Dwight Brown.

After retiring, Reggie’s preferred past time interests were bowling, billiards, watching football especially the Dallas Cowboys, playing video games, tinkering around with his beloved fish tanks and listening to smooth Jazz with Marcus Johnson as his all-time favorite artist. A great day for Reggie was being at home sitting in his recliner listening to Marcus Johnson while admiring his many exotic tropical fish. Later in life, Reggie travelled through Northern California and Nevada as well as sailed the Caribbean Islands on smooth jazz cruises where he had the pleasure of making acquaintance with some of his favorite jazz artists.

Reggie is survived by his son, Duane Collier, his mother Margaret Barnes, his sisters; Wanda Gholson and Tonya Harley; one step-sister Lashawn Williams (John); two nephews Jabari Smith and Asim Smith, ‘two nieces, Chasittie Burton and Charisma Harley, and three great nieces; Taylor Brown, Tierney Burton, and Haleigh Harrison. He is preceded in death by his father Reginald Collier, stepfather James H. Gholson and his beloved Great Aunt Maude Holloway.