William Patrick "Bill" Colbert Obituary (1930

William Bill Patrick Colbert, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away in the company of his loving family on Friday, August 24, 2018. Bill was the beloved husband of Claire F. (Mader) Colbert who died in February. Bill was born and raised in Medford on July 12, 1930 to Patrick J. and Mary (Cullen) Colbert. He graduated from St. Clement High School and earned his Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Boston College in 1952 while participating in the ROTC program. He then proudly served in the United States Navy as a Lt. Commander during the Korean War, commanding the US ship Waxwing. It was while growing up in Medford that Bill met the love of his life, Claire, they were married in 1955 and left for Los Angeles. They returned to Massachusetts and settled in Chelmsford in 1962. Bill worked for the Mitre Corporation, initially working on one of the first computers and later designing nuclear defense systems for the US government. Bill was an avid jogger and gardener. He loved reading and taking trips to the beach with his family. Bill instilled education, sports, and extra-curricular activities onto his children and grandchildren. He would attend as many games, plays, or other events as he could. Bill was also an active coach with youth sports. Bill will be deeply missed by his five children: Cheryl and Kevin Staveley of Chelmsford, W. Craig Colbert and his partner Lorraine Mancuso of Dover, NH., Michelle and Ron Desrosiers of Chelmsford, Jeanne and James Carter of Jacksonville, NC., and Jim Colbert and his wife Elena Figler of North Andover; fourteen grandchildren: Katilin and her husband John Freimuth, Nathaniel, Alex, Abby, Stephanie, Kyle, Laura, J.D., Adam, Jared, Lauren, Aislyn, Jacob, and the late Meghan; one great-granddaughter Teagan. Bill is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Bill was also predeceased by his former son-in-law John Sullivan. In his final two years, Bill thrived as a beloved member of the Atrium Memory Impaired Assisted Living Community at Drum Hill. He was an active participant in the wide array of activities offered there. Bill's family greatly appreciates the love, respect and compassion given to him by the Atrium staff. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 3 to 6 pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 o'clock at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Rd. Chelmsford. KINDLY MEET AT CHURCH. Interment in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Bill's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. (www.alzmass.org) or to the Huntington's Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902, New York, NY 10018 (www.hdsa.org). Service Details Visitation When August 26, 2018 3:00pm - 6:00pm Location Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home Address 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Mass of Christian Burial When August 27, 2018 11:00am Location Saint Mary Parish Address 25 North Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 Interment When August 27, 2018 12:00pm Location Pine Ridge Cemetery Address 130 Billerica Road CHELMSFORD, MA 01824