Mr. Louis B. Colby, 90, of Newburyport, died Sunday in the Country Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Newburyport after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of the late V. Marie (Butt) Colby with whom he shared 69 years of marriage.
Louie was born in Newburyport, son of the late John P. and Florence (Fuller) Colby. He was a lifelong resident of Newburyport and was a graduate of Newburyport High School Class of 1938.
He was a WW II Army veteran and held the rank of Private First Class and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon and was a member of the Pigeon Section of the US Army Signal Corps.
Louis worked as a salesman for Standard Brands for 46 years until his retirement in 1986. He also worked for Donahue Brothers in Methuen. Lou was a dog fancier, he was a world renowned breeder of the American Pit Bull Terrier and of game chickens. The Colby family has been breeding Pit Bull Terriers in Newburyport for over 100 years.
Louie’s true devotion was his family and friends. He could often be seen driving a team of horses on a hay ride through Maudsley State Park, milking cows and racing his homing pigeons. He had a special talent for telling stories and sharing his life experiences. He also enjoyed driving his standard bred race horses. He was awarded Dog Man of the year in 2000 by the ADBA.
He was the father to William A. Colby and his wife Lisa of Newburyport, John R. Colby and his wife Cindy of Duncanville, TX, Bruce A. Colby of Newburyport, Marjorie Colby Sullivan of Hamilton, Janice C. Morse and her husband Charles of Berwick, ME, Peter L. Colby of Seabrook, NH, Paul F. Colby and his wife Ann of Newburyport and Scott P. Colby and his wife Heather of Amesbury. He was the cherished grandfather of his 15 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Louis B. Colby, Jr., father in law of the late Phil L. Sullivan, Jr., brother of the late John Colby, Joseph Colby, Alexander “Mike” Colby, Jackman “Dick” Colby, Marjorie Fuller and Helen Scott.
Lou’s Funeral Service will be in the Old South Church, 29 Federal St., Newburyport on Thursday at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be in Sawyer Hill Burial Ground, Newburyport. The family has asked for donations to be made in Lou’s name to the Endangered Breeds Association, c/o Joan Morrison, Rt. 1, Box 71, Gore, Oklahoma, 74435.
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