Colin David Penny

Colin David Penny was born on December 23, 1931 in Bristol, England. The son of Olive Agnes Penny and Samuel William Graham Charles Penny; brother of the late Keith Penny. Colin began in the paint industry in 1947, working as a laboratory assistant in Willis’ Paint, LTD. in Bristol, England while attending college. He graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. Colin enlisted in the British Military for two years. He started as a Private and finished as a Sergeant. Colin specialized as a Munitions Expert. During his time in the Military on December 24, 1956 he married his soul mate Ms. June Lilian Rogers. After completing the required time in the British Army, they moved to Canada for two years and then they moved to the United States starting in Rhode Island, then on to Maryland where their son Ian was born, and then to Virginia in 1973. They resided in Newport News, Virginia. They moved to Newport News where he became a Coatings Consultant for Hampton Paint Manufacturing Company, Ltd. in Hampton, Virginia; after only a few months he had the opportunity to purchase the business partnering with the existing sales manager. Within another year it was clear that the Sales Manager was into playing and not about the business therefore, at that time he bought out his shares of the business. This gave Colin 100% ownership of Hampton Paint Manufacturing Company. He excelled at this business and in 1984 invented Siding In A Can. This was a superior exterior coating and the predecessor to many of the current high quality paint products used today. He received not only a U.S. patent, but Canadian as well in July 1984. In the 1970's, Colin and his wife June designed and built the family home in the Kings Mill community. He was a Resident Volunteer in the Kings Mill Community Services Association – Public Works Committee for several years. Colin served as the Project Officer for the program and installation that installed LED streetlights throughout the community. This was a major achievement for both Colin and the Kings Mill community. As the multi-family townhomes were designed and built, Colin volunteered as a consultant to advise on the proper coatings products that were used on the wooden townhomes. He won numerous awards over the years, but he was most proud when he was awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration – Administrator’s Award for Excellence May 8, 1984. This award also provided him the opportunity to meet President Ronald Reagan in August 1984. This award was in recognition of outstanding contribution and service to the nation by small business in satisfying the needs of the Federal procurement system. In late 1990's, Colin closed Hampton Paint Manufacturing Company, Inc. He then opened Coatings Technology Inc. in Williamsburg, Virginia just outside of the Kings Mill community where he continued to offer his expertise as a Coatings Consultant. This was much closer for him and June as it was located in McLaws Circle, Williamsburg, Virginia. Colin consulted with many organizations to include the U.S. Navy, and The College of William & Mary. There he taught not only the students, but other professors. He helped them to dissect the problems and focus on problem solving. He was invited to lecture at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia and did so. He was the 2001 recipient of the George Baugh Heckel award given by the Federation of Societies For Coatings Technology. He served on the Federation’s Board of Directors and served in the ranks as Secretary-Treasurer and Vice President until he achieved the Presidency for the Federation of Societies For Coatings Technology in 1992 and then he served as the Past President. In these roles, he relished the ability to travel the world with his loving wife June. He would go to other countries to lecture and give them insight on the Coatings Industry. He took Spanish classes in his seventies and was the oldest in his class. He took on the task so that he could give a lecture in Spanish to his colleagues in Brazil & Mexico. This enabled Colin to fluently speak English, French and Spanish. As his wife's health declined in 2017 he unwillingly retired from his consulting business. He enjoyed his two-man sculling boat, where June played First Mate. He enjoyed Ball Room Dancing and they would proudly step up to any dancing challenge. He and June loved to travel, both professionally and for leisure all over the world. They were a fabulous traveling couple. One of his favorite pastimes he would say would have been his early morning walks along the beaches of his 2nd home in Duck, North Carolina on the Outer Banks. As their health started to decline they acquired a Private Duty Sitter. One particular sitter won both their hearts and ours - Patricia (Pat) Ritter. After the passing of his beloved wife June, at his insistence in July of 2017, Colin moved out of the family home into Edgeworth Park Assisted Living. Pat stayed on as Colin’s private duty sitter. She kept his spirits up and over saw his daily activities. She was an integral part in his longevity as we could not be there for his daily extra needs. Colin holds a dual citizenship – British and United States. He charmed everyone he knew and he never met a stranger. Colin was truly a well respected American-English gentleman. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife and soul mate of 61 years, June. Left to cherish his memory are his son, Ian M. Penny; loving daughter-in law, Lori; his little lad, his Pug, Colby. Colin is also survived by family in England. Patrick J. McDermott was like family and affectionately known as son number two. The family will have a private service at a later date. They would like to thank all of the residents and staff at Edgeworth Assisted Living for their friendship and wonderful care that they provided. Dad enjoyed his second home in Williamsburg at Edgeworth Assisted Living. A heartfelt thanks to the Nurses and staff at Riverside Doctor’s Hospital Williamsburg, Virginia – Out Patient Procedures Department. We also appreciate all the love and support shown by At Home Hospice Care. In lieu of flowers please send donations to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.