Jon Filip Kollen

Jon Filip Kollen, who was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on September 11th, 1932, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 in the early morning of July 13, 2025. He is missed dearly by his wife, son, daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, his extended family, and friends from so many years. Jon was a wanderer who liked to move with the breeze on his own time. Jon lost his father at the age of 2 and was raised by his mother and grandmother. Jon was a competitive swimmer in his youth. After years of intense competition and training, he decided to walk away from swimming and pursue his love for the water through sailing. Jon joined the Swedish Navy in his early 20’s which would instill a lifelong love of sailing. Always looking for the next adventure and challenge, Jon set his sights West, and in the Summer of 1956, he stepped off the MS Kungsholm and arrived in New York City, where he first stayed at the Hotel Wellington. A lover of jazz, he saw Charlie Parker at Birdland, along with other jazz legends like Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck, and Ornette Coleman. Jon moved out West to the Bay Area, and in 1961, he joined the Army and graduated from boot camp at Fort Ord just outside Monterey, CA. Jon was looking for his next move when he passed by a plumbing shop in San Francisco. He walked in and asked if they were hiring. He began his apprenticeship shortly thereafter and started his lifelong career as a plumber and pipe fitter for Local Union 467 in San Mateo County while going to night school for the next 5 years. His favorite job was working for Stanford University’s Research Department on a remodel for laser beam technology. In the 60s, Jon loved his time in San Francisco. It was the music at night, amazing food around every corner, joining the San Francisco Yacht club and navigating those challenging waters in the San Francisco Bay. Most importantly, some of his family had moved to the Bay Area, most notably his cousin, Bo Lindstrom. Bo was like a brother to Jon, both growing up together in Stockholm. Both Bo and Jon were a lot of fun, and they created quite a social network of close friends, amongst them were other Swedes whom they’d known from their hometown. They threw legendary parties that were talked about for decades. It was through this connection that Jon met his soul mate and wife-to-be, Gerry Lundin Harnew, in 1973 in Mill Valley. They lived together in Half Moon Bay and in 1975 they opened up a Swedish Delicatessen in downtown San Francisco called ‘Villascandia”. After working countless hours with no days off, they decided to sell the business two years later, and in 1977, they moved to Tahoe City, California. It was Lake Tahoe that captured their hearts and where they would live for the next 27 years. In late 1980, they welcomed their son, Oskar. Jon would still commute to the Bay Area for work and would come home on the weekends. After several years, Jon was able to retire early so he could be home with his family. There, Jon and his wife, Gerry, raised their son and supported him through every endeavor. As the years rolled on, they decided to sell their home on Panorama Drive and head North to a beautiful coastal city called Bellingham, WA., where Jon would live out the rest of his glorious years. Jon and Gerry traveled often. Jon’s favorite place to vacation was Mexico. Jon was an avid kayaker and enjoyed paddling the early morning hours out on Lake Whatcom. He truly loved living in the Pacific Northwest. It reminded him of Sweden. He would often walk the marina and look at the boats. Jon was a kind, compassionate, and caring man who was adored by everyone who knew him. He was a talented woodworker and sailor, an avid reader of history and maritime tragedies, a dog lover, and an incredible husband and father. He had one of the most infectious laughs you have ever heard. Continue to stroll amongst the clouds and the stars, Jon, you are incredibly missed. We love you

Jon Filip Kollen

September 11, 1932 - July 13, 2025