Arthur Samuel Colley, age 91, born and raised in New Haven and a long-time resident of Danbury, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, December 20, 2018. Arthur was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, teacher, colleague, advisor, leader and trusted friend to so many during his distinguished life.
His penchant for story-telling, humor, wit, courage and gregariousness will be greatly missed by his two daughters, Karen (Robert) Weinheimer and Barbara (Enrico) Savo of Danbury and his three sons, Arthur W. (Kathy) Colley of Danbury, Stephen (Amy) Colley of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, and Timothy (Lori) Colley of New Milford. Arthur will be lovingly remembered by his 17 grandchildren, Heather (Pasquale), Jason (Melissa), Sean (Kristen), Shannon (Steven), Amanda (Joe), Samantha, Bethany, Jillian, Gavin, Daniel, Joshua, Jacqueline (Anthony), Gabrielle, Evan, Jacob, Nicolas, and Julia as well as 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and their families. He will also be fondly remembered by his sister Joan McGuire of Arlington, Virginia his brother-in-law William “Biff” (Jeannie) McGuire of California and his sister-in-law Maureen McGuire of Meriden, Connecticut.
He joins in heaven his loving wife and best friend, Barbara McGuire Colley who predeceased him just 55 days ago. Arthur was also predeceased by his mother Catherine Colley, his grandmother Alice Murphy, sister Kathleen (John) Sullivan and his brothers-in-law James F. McGuire of Arlington, Virginia and John “Jack” McGuire of Meriden, Connecticut.
Although Arthur tried to drop out of high school prior to graduation to help with the war effort, he was forever grateful that his mother refused to allow him to enlist until he had graduated from high school. Upon graduation from Hillhouse High School at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy, was trained as an electrician (an opportunity afforded him because he was a high school graduate) and was deployed to the Pacific Theater during the late stages of WWII and served until 1946. Arthur continued to serve his country in the United States Naval Reserves for the next 20 years. Over the next few years, he was able to use his skills as an electrician at various jobs across the Northeast until in 1948 he used the G.I. Bill to enroll in a post-secondary education program at New Haven State Teacher’s College. During the next four years he truly realized the value of education his mother had imparted upon him and made the most of his time in school. It was here that he met the love of his life, Barbara McGuire, and together they graduated in 1952, were married in 1953, and embarked on careers in education. Military duty would call during the early years of their marriage and Arthur was returned to active duty for over six years at separate times throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s. When not actively deployed, Arthur held teaching jobs in West Hartford, Chester, and Guilford.
In 1965, Arthur left active duty as a full Lieutenant from the United States Naval Reserve, officially retiring in 1987, and moved the family to Danbury, Connecticut. Having returned to school for his Master’s in special education at Fairfield University, he joined the staff at Danbury High School as a special education teacher where he remained until 1979. His vast experiences, charismatic personality and leadership skills were put to great use as a union member with the Danbury Education Association. He would go on to hold union leadership positions at the local and state level and in 1973 he was elected president of the statewide Connecticut Education Association. Arthur was forever a voice for students, especially those who could not always advocate for themselves. He was a voice for public education in Danbury and throughout Connecticut as well. In many instances, his dedication to education carried him beyond Connecticut as an active participant in a multitude of national dialogues with educators and legislators across the country.
In 1979, Arthur transitioned from the classroom and took a staff position as a UniServ field representative for the Connecticut Education Association, a position he would maintain until his retirement in 1992 due to medical issues.
Arthur always enjoyed the love and company of his family and friends. As a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Danbury, he was a fixture at the 7 am weekly mass, either doing readings from the altar or sharing his incredibly full tenor voice from the choir loft. He will forever be remembered by many for his renditions of “Ave Maria” and “O Holy Night” that raised the roof year in and year out. He was always ready with a story about growing up in New Haven during the depression, his years of service in the military or his many adventures in education. He was an avid reader and always loved the company of any dog that crossed his path.
The family would like to especially thank Elaine Simms for her dedication and the loving care she provided to Arthur. We would also like to thank VITAS Hospice for all the wonderful support they provided to our father. Arthur’s sparkling eyes and engaged persona will always be the vision we see when we remember his 91 years of love and life.
For family and friends fortunate enough to have known Arthur, a visitation will be held at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, Connecticut on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 from 3 pm – 6 pm. A funeral service will be conducted at 6 pm, with Deacon Bill Murphy officiating. Interment will be at his family plot in Hamden, Connecticut on a date and time to be determined.
In lieu of flowers those who so desire may make donations in memory of Arthur to the Mildred E. and Bill McGuire Nursing Scholarship, c/o Fairfield University, 1073 N. Benson Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824 or Wounded Warriors Project, POB 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
