Frank Crosby Colby

1945 - 2016

BOW – Frank Crosby Colby (70) of Bow, N.H. died Monday, July 11, 2016 at home.

Frank was born on December 24, 1945 in Concord to Vernon Colby and Eileen (Cole) Colby. He graduated from Concord High School in 1964 and Manpower Trading Center in 1965. A decorated military Veteran, Frank served in the Navy as an Engineman 2nd class Petty Officer from March 1966 to November 1969. Frank served in the Vietnam War from October 1967 through September 1968. Frank was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart with two gold stars, Bronze star with Valor, Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Frank was born and raised in Concord and worked at Grappone Industrial after being honorably discharged from the military. He moved to Weare with his beloved wife Linda in 1974 where he worked for Knoxland Equipment and part time for the Weare Police Department. In 1980 Frank and Linda moved to Bow, N.H. where he worked part time for the Bow Police Department. He also worked for Panbro Sales. Frank retired from St. Paul School as a Mechanic/Welder in 2008. Frank loved anything to do with hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and ATV. Frank was a member of the Pioneer Gun Club of Dunbarton, Sunset Mountain Club of Canterbury and The American Legion of Hooksett.

Frank was predeceased by his parents Vernon and Eileen (Cole) Colby and stepmother Rachel Colby.

Frank is survived by the love of his life Linda (Lee) Colby, to whom he would have been married for 50 years this coming September. He was the godfather to Heather (Hill) Wilson, Bruce Lacasse, Travis Lee, Ronald Sargent and known as Grampy to Abby and Molly. Even though Frank didn't have any biological children, family was always very important to him. He mentored and spent a great deal of time with his family. He loved his Irish Setters Tasha, Shane and Shannon. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Bruce Lee and family; Sisters-in-law Christina Thornton and family, Jacquelyn Young and family, and Darlene Hill and family; Aunt Betsy Tillotson; Uncles Harvey Moody and Arthur Cheney; and a significant number of nieces, nephews and cousins who all knew just how special they all were to him.

There will be a graveside service on Monday, July 25 th 2016 at 3 p.m. with full military monors. The service will be held at Evans Cemetery on White Rock Hill in Bow, N.H.. The service will be performed by Frank's brother-in-law Forrest Young and nephew Christopher Young.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the wounded warrior project in his memory at woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate.