Glen Bishop Newcombe

Glen Bishop Newcombe, 76, of Hampton, CT, passed away unexpectedly on May 31, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Remaining to cherish Glen’s memory are his wife, Katherine (née Webb); son, Geoffrey Newcombe and his wife Nicole; daughter, Marjorie Newcombe Cogan and her wife Saoirse; step-son, Edward Mackay; grandchildren, Eve Altieri, Theresa Cogan, Aubree Newcombe, and Natalie Newcombe; brother, Vaughan Newcombe; sisters, Beverly Woodcock and Carolyn Newcombe; nephews, Rick, Jack, Patrick, Chris, and Brad; and countless friends and acquaintances.
Glen was born on November 21, 1948, in Willimantic, CT, to Dr. Richard Vaughan Newcombe and Helen Elizabeth Newcombe (née Bishop), and was raised in Chaplin, CT, along with his siblings.
Glen graduated from the Sterling School in Craftsbury Common, VT in 1967, then went on to the University of Connecticut, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1971. In 1972, Glen co-founded a business, Water & Air Waterbeds, with his lifelong friend, John Sornberger. For over 35 years, in partnership at times with John, with his brother, Vaughan, and with Mark and Chris Gadarowski, Glen built Water & Air into a chain of six stores. In 2007, he closed the final store in Manchester, CT, and retired. After retiring, Glen worked for his long-time friend, Scott Johnson at Scott’s Cyclery in Willimantic, CT.
Glen loved the outdoors and was an avid cyclist and skier. He was a member of the Friends of Goodwin Forest, the Thread City Cyclers, and New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA), and served on the Town of Hampton Inlands Wetlands and Watercourses Agency (IWWA), in addition to volunteering his time for Connecticut Trails Day for many years, and volunteering as Cub Scout Den Leader and Boy Scouts Assistant Scoutmaster in the 1990s and early 2000s. Glen took great pride and joy in the pond, yard, and gardens on his property.
Glen will be remembered as a genuine, joyful, generous man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support from those who knew Glen.
Calling hours will be held at Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic, CT on Saturday, June 7, 2025, 1-4pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Glen’s memory can be made to:
Friends of Goodwin Forest, 23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT 06247 (with “Glen Newcombe” in memo line)
Hampton Fire Department, c/o Treasurer Dale DeMontigny, 229 Station Road, Hampton, CT 06247
Alzheimer’s Association of CT https://www.alz.org/ct
Many thanks to the first responders, and the doctors and nurses of Hartford Hospital Emergency Department and Neuro-ICU for their efforts and compassionate care.