Arthur Colley

1913 - 2014

Arthur Colley of Downingtown Arthur Armand Colley, (born Arturo Armando Colamosca), 101, passed away on July 15, 2014 at Neighborhood Health Hospice services of Chester County. He was the beloved husband of Charlotte Fisher Colley, with whom he shared 37 years of marriage before her death in 1986. Born in South Philadelphia on May 15, 1913, the son of Italian immigrants Michele and Elvira (DeGregoriis) Colamosca, he was preceded in death by his two brothers and five sisters. He is survived by his devoted family: son Michael and wife Sharon, daughter Martha, son Bruce and wife Mary Lee, grandchildren Gina (Gregg), Kara, Ryan and Leah and great grandchildren Luke, Evan and Sullivan Charlotte Holgate. He has lived in East Bradford since 1957 and spent many winters in Avon Park, Fla. Art was a 1932 graduate of South Philadelphia High School, 1936 graduate of Temple University with a B.S. in health and physical education, a 1950 graduate University of Pennsylvania with a M.S. in education and received a Doctoral equivalent in physical education from Temple University. Art taught and coached in the Philadelphia School System for 29 years and taught and coached at Cheney University for 13 years. Notably, he was an Olympic Coach for Margaret Reinhold in the High Platform Diving event. He was a basketball and football official for the Florida and Pennsylvania interscholastic Association. He was also a member of the International Association of Basketball Officials. Additionally, he served as a boxing and wrestling referee in Fla. Art's military career includes Commanding Officer HDQS Squadron Third Fighter Command, Rank Lt. Col. and Sergeant in the U.S. Infantry, Commanding Officer Willow Grove U.S.A.F. Reserve, served 6 years in World War II and served 27 years in the Air Force Reserves. During his lifetime, Art served as the Associate Director of Oxmead Camp, Board Member of the Children's Country Week Association, Director of the West Chester Branch of the Red Cross, as the Director of Health and Safety Services, representative of the Philadelphia Jr. High Schools to the Philadelphia Educational Association. He served as a member of the following associations: National Education Association, Pennsylvania Educational Association, Association of the American University Professors, American Camping Association, West Chester Fish and Game Association, American Forestry Association and the Shadyside Conservation League. Most notably, Art was affiliated with Paradise Farm Camps for most of his life. He spent over 45 years as the Director, serving countless underprivileged children from the City of Philadelphia. "Pop" or "Unc" as he was affectionately known by many, along with Charlotte, will be remembered for their dedication to Paradise Farms and it's campers. Art's ashes will join Charlotte's at the lonesome pine on the Fisher family homestead in Rose lake, Idaho and around his favorite places at Paradise Farm Camps; the old chapel trail, the farmhouse and the old Wawa Kiya Circle. A private celebration of life family gathering will take place in the fall. The family would like to thank the staff of Ashbridge Manor Senior Living and Neighborhood Health Hospice Services of Chester County for the excellent care and kindness they showed Art. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children's Country Week Association Camper Fund Paradise Farm Camps, 1300 Valley Creek rd. Downingtown, PA 19335; and/or Messiah Lutheran Church of Downingtown, c/o Pastor Tom Gulotta, 46 W. Lancaster Ave. Downingtown, PA 19335. Family services provided by Ralston & Bredickas Life Celebration Home, 107 W. Lancaster Ave. Downingtown. To share your loving memories, please visit www.lifecelebration.com 1-800-GIVNISH.