Thomas "Tom" John Colbert

Today we lost a true renaissance man. A teacher by profession, Tom was a gifted carpenter, counselor, home builder and jack of all trades. There was really nothing he couldn’t do. But more than his accomplishments, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and brother.

Tom’s love of the Mira was known by all who were dear to him. He was fortunate to have been able to have retired at 55 from his career as a teacher and pursue his other passions. He was at his happiest spending time at his home in Grand Mira, fishing the local rivers, boating, and ice fishing with close friends when the winter came. He made skating rinks for his children, furniture for his family and friends, and helped more than one person build a house.

Trained as a teacher at St. Francis Xavier University, he worked and lived in Alberta, Halifax and Sydney. For most of his career he worked as a teacher and guidance counselor at Sydney Academy. Prior to that, he worked for three years in Halifax as a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy where he taught other officers.

Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Tom is survived by his daughters Diane Vaught (Cliff), Sue Lanoe (Denis), and Erin Huntington (David), his grandchildren Tara Power and Andrew Vaught, Victoria and Christian Lanoe, and Spencer Huntington, his great-grandchildren Margot and Edna MacNeil, his sister Mary Matheson, his brother Percy Colbert, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Aloysius and Mary Colbert, his wife JoAnn (Monahan) Colbert, his sisters Ann Ripley, Clare Morrison, and Cecilia Kuhn, and his brother Patrick (Butch) Colbert.

A funeral mass for Tom will be held at St. Margaret Catholic Church, 2657 Grand Mira South Rd., on Thursday, July 9, at 11:00 am. Father Anthony Eboh will officiate. A private family committal will follow. Guests are invited to a reception and a celebration of Tom’s life at St. Margaret Parish Hall in Grand Mira South after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Margaret Parish cemetery fund. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting twcurry.com. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff at Harbourstone’s long-term care facility in Sydney.