John A. Colburn

John A. Colburn, of Scotland, passed away peacefully on Sunday July 19, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family and friends. John grew up hunting and fishing in Chaplin, CT along with his four brothers Butch, Mickey, Frank and Bill. He was a frequent honor roll student at Windham Regional Technical School. Upon graduating from school, John entered an active military career in the Air Force where he was an airplane mechanic and also carpentry. Following the Air Force, John became a member of the carpenters union and also worked at Brand Rex/General Cable for over 30 years. John was also a long standing member of the American Legion Post 52. John led a very full active life. His primary passion was hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed camping, gardening, and hiking. He is especially known for gigantic pumpkins. His pumpkins were frequent winners at the local fairs. His garden also produced winning tomatoes, green beans, peppers, squash and sunflowers. John was also a very good cook. He helped cook dinners at the American Legion on Friday nights. He cooked fabulous venison dinners for his family and friends. At Nancy's annual market day celebration, he would oversee the pig roast and would ensure that the pig was ready so nobody got sick. John leaves behind his loving wife of 20 years, Brenda Colburn, his father Everett Colburn, brothers Mickey Colburn, Butch (Everett) Colburn, Bill Colburn, his children Randy Colburn and his wife Bonnie from Ellington, CT, Tina Burckhalter and her husband Mike of Brooksville FL, Jeff Colburn and his wife Carla of Port Orange FL, Nancy Shedrick of Wentworth, NH, Bonnie Maclure and her husband Stanley Maclure of Windham, CT, Raymond Shedrick and his wife Irene of Hebron, CT; he also leaves behind his grandchildren, Sara Colburn, Madelynn Colburn, Emily Colburn, Brandon Burckhalter, Kyle Shedrick, John Fitzpatrick, Chris Fitzpatrick, and Colleen Crowley. He was predeceased by his brother Frank Colburn. John would like to acknowledge his dear friend for the past thirty plus years, Roland Macha. All that knew John remember him being a very generous soul. The type of man who would give you the shirt off his back. He had incredible strength and resilience. He was like a cat that has nine lives except he was on the second cat. John's family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday July 22, 2015 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. For an online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .