Gilbert H. Colby

Gilbert Harris Colby, 69, of Willimantic CT, died peacefully May 20, 2015, in the company of his loving family. Raised in Yonkers, NY, Gil studied Psychology and Music at UConn and earned a Master's Degree in Science Education at ECSU. He was employed as a science teacher in local schools, as a candle-maker, and as an encyclopedia salesman. He loved his role as a high school tennis coach, had a passion for travel and rock collecting, and was known for his artistic re-use of industrial materials. He leaves his wife, Sonia (Skoglund); daughter Amanda Hall, her husband Andrew and their sons Colby, Connor, and Cooper (Mashpee, MA); daughter Rachel Colby (Carpinteria, CA), soon to be married to Jake Van Wickle; and, son Benjamin, his wife Elizabeth Maynard and their son Samuel (Waterville, ME); older brothers Richard and John, and a large extended loving family. Gil will be remembered for his cheerful attitude, his enjoyment of tennis and life-long learning, and as a gentle and caring husband, father and grandfather. Gil's life will be celebrated in a service on Monday, May 25, 2015, at 2:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street (Rt. 195), Willimantic, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Development in Central America ( http://jhc-cdca.org ), an organization in Nicaragua which Gil was proud to serve and support. For an online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .