John James Colson, age 95, of Amherst, NS, passed away peacefully at East Cumberland Lodge on Friday, July 1 2016 surrounded by his family. He was the son of the late Michael and Mary (Baznar) Colson.
John was born in Glace Bay, NS in 1920. He joined the Cape Breton Highlanders in 1939 and served in the North Nova Highlanders overseas. He landed on Juno Beach on "D" day, and was severely wounded three days later on June 8th. He was returned to Canada in November and medically discharged in December 1944.
He joined the Post Office, as a postal clerk in 1948 and later retired as Assistant Post Master (Amherst) in 1978.
John was a past president of the Amherst Golf club, Amherst Curling club, the Amherst Kinsman (K40), as well as the Amherst Red Cross. He was the "Cubs" team manager, for five years, in the Amherst Little League. He was a third and fourth degree Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the West Cumberland Amateur Radio Club (Silent Key VE1 JJC).
One of his favorite pastimes was spending his summers at his cottage at Amherst Shore where he enjoyed planting his flower and vegetable gardens. He was widely known as the universal handy man with a supply of spare parts that was the envy of many.
Recently, his most memorable event was receiving the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal awarded by the French government for those veterans who helped liberate France (WWII).
He will be dearly missed by daughter Karen (James) Reath, Lower Sackville, NS and son Stuart (friend Glenda Gottschalk) Colson, Amherst, NS; grandchildren Tracey, Craig, Matthew and Jeremy and great grandchildren William and Dylan; sister Helen Poole, Minnesota; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his first wife Edith MacDonald, second wife Joyce Milner Vickery and Estelle Cormier Blenkhorn. He was also predeceased by brothers Peter Michael "Mickey", William "Kayo", Alie, Alex, Joseph and sisters Annie, Mary and Nellie
Arrangements have been entrusted to Furlong~Jones Funeral Home, 70 Church St., Amherst, NS, (902-667-8777) where visiting hours will take place on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Parish Church, Father Keith Billard officiating on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 2:30 pm. Burial will follow in the St. Charles-Nativity Cemetery at a later date.
Those wishing to make a donation in John's memory may do so to the C.A.R.M.A. or the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting John's online memorials on the Furlong~Jones Funeral Home Facebook page or at www.furlongjones.ca.