James A. Colby Jr.

RAYMOND -- James A. Colby Jr., 87, died March 6, 2010, at Concord Regional VNA Hospice House, Concord.

He was born Nov. 24, 1922, in Lynn, Mass., to James A. Colby Sr. and Edna Mae (Simpson) Colby. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.He was a member of American Legion Post 79 in Manchester and Maple Wheadon VFW Post 447 of Raymond.

A former longtime resident of Melrose, Mass., he resided in Raymond for the last 40 years.

A carpenter by trade, he owned and operated Middlesex Modernizing for more than 40 years. He was a skilled craftsman who enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and finding furniture pieces at yard sales to carefully refinish. The happiest moments of his life involved time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He was a long-time member of Raymond Congregational Church where he served for many years as a deacon.

IN HIS LIFE: He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth C. (Jolliffe) Colby of Raymond; three daughters, Charlotte and her husband, Lee Mason of Northwood, Charlene and her husband, Cliff Hodgdon of Northwood, and Pauline and her husband, Mark Lampert of Portsmouth; four grandsons, Michael E. Mason of Barrington, Jeffrey N. Hodgdon of Northwood, Jeremy M. and his wife, Emily A. Lampert of Ambler, Pa., and Timothy C. Lampert of Portsmouth; one sister, Helen Fowlie of Melrose, Mass. ; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter, E. Christine Colby; a granddaughter, Christina Anne Lampert; and three sisters, Edna Larson, Ruth Charter, and Alice Tier.

SERVICES: A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Raymond Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Raymond. Burial with military honors will follow in Old Pine Grove Cemetery in Raymond.

Memorial donations may be made to Concord Regional VNA Hospice House, 240 Pleasant St., Concord 03301.

Brewitt Funeral Service is handling arrangements. www.brewittfuneralhome.com.