WESTFIELD – Jack E. Colby, 84, (1935-2020) passed away on Monday, February 3, 2020 at the Holyoke Soldiers Home. He was born in Northampton, MA to the late Ralph and Bertha (Weidhaas) Colby. Jack served his country in the United States Navy from 1954-1957 during the Korean War. He owned and operated two cutting tools businesses, The Colby Company and Damon Precision Grinding in West Springfield. Jack also worked at BG Sporting Inc in Westfield for a few years after retirement. He belonged to the Grand Lodge of Masons and was a past master in 1967 in Easthampton and was a communicant of the First United Methodist Church in Westfield. Jack grew up in Easthampton, MA and attended schools there graduating in 1953. He then joined the Navy where he spent most of his service time in Germany. After being Honorably Discharged in 1957 he married his beautiful wife Janice Duffus in November of that year. They lived in Easthampton raising their three boys until moving to Buffalo Grove, ILL for a few years and then settling in Westfield, MA. Jack always had a love for the outdoors and owned a home on the beach in Wells, ME and on Benton Pond in Otis, MA where he enjoyed boating, fishing, and spending time with his family. He also owned land in Westfield, VT where hunting with his Vermont friends in Corrow Basin was a fall tradition for many years and led to him being part owner of The Landing Restaurant in Newport, VT on Lake Memphremagog. He will always be remembered for having a joke or two ready at all times.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Janice A. (Duffus) Colby in 2013, his son Brad Colby in 2014 and brother Gordon in 2019. Jack is survived by his children, Ronald Colby of West Springfield and Scott Colby and his wife Amy of Southwick, his grandchildren, Christopher and Samantha Colby, Kaitlin and Emily Colby, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
A Chapel service will be held at a later date in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St. Agawam. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are under the direction of Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield. The family would like to thank the staffs of both the Holyoke Soldiers Home and Homewatch Caregivers for their excellent care over the past year. Donations can be made to the Holyoke Soldiers Home. www.firtionadams.com
