Port Norris Legends
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Warrington "Barney" Leslie Hollinger
b. June 2, 1928 - d. May 15 2024
Warrington Leslie Hollinger, better known as Barney to his friends, was born June 2, 1928 in Port Norris. He is the son of Leslie Thomas Hollinger and Clarrisa Hasher. He was named after his Grandfather, Warrington Hand Hollinger. With his birth, he would become the 6th generation of Hollinger’s residing in Port Norris spanning back over 220 years to 1793.
Warrington attended school in Port Norris and graduated from Millville High School in 1948. He attended business school in Philadelphia for two years.
Life in Port Norris was good and at age 10 he had his first “job” working in the packing room at his father’s business, Miller and Hollinger’s Oyster Company. At age 21, he would begin to take an oyster boat up the bay for spring planting. In 1953, he started, Newcomb and Hollinger’s Oyster Company with his Aunt, Mary Ann Newcomb. As the Oyster Industry declined, he sent two boats into the Atlantic to dredge clams. He would go on to spend over 60 years in the oyster business. In the mid 70s he worked at the Isotope Plant located at Gamma Drive in Port Norris, creating radioactive sources used in Industry and Hospitals throughout the country.
He met and married Margaret Rose Crowley in 1952. They raised 5 children, Warren, Thomas, Mary Ann, Gary and Robert and currently enjoy 7 Grand Children - Lynn, Gary Jr, Ashley, Barney Jr, Chris, Melissa and Brian. Also, 3 Great Grand Children – Alicia, Trevor and Wyatt.
He has served the Port Norris Community for 55 years holding the titles of Building Inspector for the township, volunteer fireman, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Chief, Fire Commissioner and Office of Emergency Management. Four Hollinger’s have served as Fire Chief since 1907, his grandson Gary is currently serving as Deputy Chief.
Since retiring, he stays active with the Fire Company, helping to restore the old fire house located on Main Street and a 1936 Diamond T Fire Truck. The ultimate goal is to create a Fire Museum.
In conclusion, I would like to commend my father for his dedication to his wife of 61 years, his family and his community. Thank you for bestowing this honor on him today.
By Thomas Hollinger 11-10-13
Tribute to Barney
Also See
The Maurice River Reaches Project - River Recollections
Warrington Hollinger
Keeping Watch on the Tides of Change
Read More
PNHS awards dinner. 11-10-13
Legend Photos: Rachel
Cobb
Left to right: Gary Lee Hollinger, Jr. son of my brother Gary, Robert Stephen Hollinger, Warren “Barney” Leslie Hollinger, Thomas Franklin Hollinger, Margaret Rose Crowley Hollinger, Warrington Leslie Hollinger, Mary Ann Hollinger Sheppard. Presenting the award is Robin Berry.
Obituary for Warrington Leslie Hollinger
Barney was a fourth-generation oysterman, and owned and operated the Newcomb and Hollinger Oyster Company with his aunt, Mary Newcomb until its closure. Barney traveled extensively with Bobby Robbins, of Robbins Brothers Oyster Company, throughout the continental United States promoting and selling the Delaware Bay Oyster. He often told the story about Margaret and him being on the last plane out of Cuba as Castro advanced on the airport.
He was very active in the Port Norris community and was a member of the Port Norris Fire Company for over 50 years, serving 5 years as a Fire Chief. He and Ron DeHainaut restored a 1936 Diamond “T” Fire Truck for the Fire Company. It was a copy of the first original truck the Company used. He was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners and served as the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator for Commercial Township. He was honored as a “living Legend” of Port Norris by the Port Norris Historical Society in 2013 and was interviewed for the book “Tidal Wave” for his memories of the day a tidal wave hit Bivalve and Marice River Town and the part he played in the rescue of their residents.
A graveside Memorial Service will be held at the Haleyville Methodist Cemetery on June 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made to the Port Norris Fire Company P.O. Box 115, Port Norris, NJ 08349
To email condolences and or tributes please visit www.hoffmanfuneralhomes.net.
Memorial Service Haleyville Cemetery
JUN 1. 10:00 AM - 10:20 AM (ET)
Haleyville Cemetery, Steep Run Rd & Highland Street, Haleyvile, NJ, NJ 08349
May 16, 2024
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of past Chief Warrington "Barney" Hollinger. Chief Hollinger joined the Port Norris Fire Company on April 4th 1960 and dedicated more than 60 years to the company. He served as Chief, 2nd Assistant Chief, and Commissioner. Barney was instrumental in many things with the Port Norris Fire Company but his greatest accomplishment was restoring our 1936 Diamond T fire engine. He was very proud of that!!
Please keep the Hollinger family, his friends and the members of the Port Norris Fire Company in your thoughts and prayers as we all deal with this loss.
– Port Norris Fire Company
