Richard B. Colby

Born on June 11, 1935, in Waterbury, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Walter E. and Jane Colby. Dick was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury, where he distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete. He earned all-city and second team all-state honors in basketball. He was also one of the leading runners in the state in the 100-yard and 220-yard dashes. Dick was inducted into the Sacred Heart High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Dick was a U.S. Army veteran and went on to build a 35-year career as an installer with Southern New England Telephone (SNET), which was later acquired by AT&T. He was known for his work ethic and for working lots of overtime to support his family. In addition to his technical skills installing telephone systems, Dick was quite a handyman. He could fix, build, or install just about anything around the house and yard.

A passionate advocate for youth athletics, Dick made a lasting impact in Wolcott, Connecticut, by founding the Junior Pro youth basketball league. His philosophy was simple but powerful: every participant would play a minimum of two quarters, giving all children a chance to learn, grow, and be part of a team. Dick also devoted many years to coaching youth baseball and basketball. He mentored countless young athletes both on and off the field and served as a great role model for how to conduct oneself.

Dick enjoyed fishing, UCONN men’s and women’s basketball, and body surfing at the beaches of New Hampshire and Rhode Island. He took great joy in teaching generations of family members, and even strangers, how to body surf. Dick took up golf later in life and became a superb golfer.

Dick was the beloved husband of Patricia (Buckingham) Colby. They would have celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on June 13, 2026. He leaves behind his three sons: Richard B. Colby Jr. of Columbus, Ohio; Robert Colby and his partner Andrea King of Irvine, California; and Paul Colby and his partner Diane Tavolilla of Burlington, Connecticut. He is also survived by seven cherished grandchildren—Parker, Coral, Isabella, Francesca, Olivia, Ashton, and Raine—as well as his sisters-in-law, Audrey Colby of Waterbury, Connecticut, Eileen Pape of Wolcott, Connecticut, and Esther Taylor of Erie, Colorado.

He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Lauren Alexandra Colby, and his brothers, Herbert and Walter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1100 8th Avenue North, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where Dick was a devoted member. Entombment will follow in the church columbarium with military honors.

A loving husband, father, and community leader, Dick will be remembered for devotion to his family, honesty, being down-to-earth, generosity toward young athletes, his love of the ocean, and the many lives he touched through his kindness and leadership