Wilder, VT – Donald A. Colby, 85, passed away Tuesday April 24, 2018 surrounded by family at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a brief illness.

Don was born May 23, 1932 in East Concord, VT.  He was the eldest of Elwin and Verl (Fisher) Colby's three sons.  Don grew up in East Concord, VT and graduated from Concord High School.  He received a Bachelor's degree from Lyndon Teachers College where he excelled as a three sport athlete, playing baseball, basketball and running cross country.  Don was recently inducted into the Lyndon Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the baseball team.

After college he was married to Jacqueline Sharpley. They made their home in Plainfield, VT and had three children together, Dawn, Cheryl and Mike.  Don and Jackie were later divorced.  While in Plainfield, he taught at Plainfield High School and coached their basketball team to a state championship.

Don was re-married on October 8, 1966 to Marilyn Morse in Rochester, NH.  They made their home in Wilder, VT where they raised their two sons, Jim and Doug.  Don taught math in the Hartford School District for nearly forty years retiring in 1994. He was always concerned with his students' success and tried to teach to each student's level.  He frequently offered extra time for those students who sought out additional help.  He coached Hartford softball for many years and baseball for a time.  He was an instrumental figure in creating the middle school baseball program.  He also spent most summers painting full time for the Hartford School District which continued well into his retirement. It was just last summer that he reduced his painting work load to part-time.

He was an avid New England sports enthusiast but in particular was a Red Sox and Celtics fanatic.  In recent years, Don became a member of the Greater Hartford United Church of Christ where he became a Trustee.  Don was an active person who enjoyed walking, doing yard work, making fabulous zucchini bread and delicious apple pies.

He was predeceased by his wife Marilyn, his first wife Jacqueline Sharpley and a brother Ronald Colby.

He leaves his children Dawn DeChamps (husband Robert) of West Haven, CT; Cheryl Duplessie (husband Michael) of Leander, TX; Michael Colby (wife Donna) of Shelton, CT; James Colby (wife Melissa) of Woodbury, CT; and Douglas Colby (wife Krista) of Southington, CT; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; a brother Robert Colby of Lancaster, NH and Shirley McIntyre, his partner of the last several years, of White River Jct. as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., VT Tuesday May 29th from 6-8PM.  A memorial service will be held Wednesday May 30th at 10AM at the Greater Hartford United Church of Christ with the Pastor Sally Ann Silfies officiating. Burial will follow at 2PM in the Riverside Cemetery in Lunenburg, VT. Condolences may be made to Don's family via online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com .

Contributions in his memory may be made to the following locations: Hartford Athletic Department, ATTN Athletic Department , 37 Highland Avenue, White River Junction, VT 05001or  The American Diabetes Association at Diabetes.org .