Mason Doubleday Colby
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Mason Doubleday Colby passed away peacefully on July 18, 2022, surrounded by family. He was born in Montclair, New Jersey, on February 13, 1932, the youngest child of Whitney Coffin Colby and Elizabeth Murphy Colby. Mason will be dearly missed by his family and the many friends he has made over his 90 years.
First and foremost, Mason was a devoted husband to his beloved Patricia, married for 66 years, a wonderful father to their three daughters, and an active and engaged grandfather to their six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
While primarily growing up in Montclair, as a young child, Mason spent an intriguing five years in Aruba, where his father worked during WWII. He loved reminiscing about his adventures there and maintained contact with some of his childhood friends throughout his life. Mason was a proud graduate of Cornell University, earning a Master's in Mechanical Engineering, joyfully singing with the Men's Glee Club, serving in Army ROTC, and meeting the love of his life, Patricia Jerome. Mason and Patricia married in 1955 and lovingly raised their three daughters as they moved to various spots around the country.
After two years of active duty in the Army, Mason started his 35-year career with Proctor and Gamble, with roles ranging from plant startup to human resource management. After his retirement, Mason and Pat traveled extensively in the US and abroad, racking up many adventures on their journeys.
Singing, sailing, and church involvement were passions that Mason actively pursued throughout his life. In addition to singing with the Cayuga's Waiters while at Cornell and many years later with a hearty group who returned to campus for reunions, he sang with the prestigious May Festival Chorus in Cincinnati for many years and was very engaged with church choirs everywhere he lived, most recently Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples. His love of sailing led to countless weekends in a Flying Scott with Patricia as his first mate. For many years Mason was an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, helping to build homes and, in his later years, participating by "supervising."
Mason was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Virginia Fisk Colby and his siblings, Bets, Barry, Lynn, Whitney and Chuck. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Jerome Colby, his brother Tony Colby (Winkie), his daughters Bonnie Colby (Ted Weinert), Jennie Holstein (Kurt), Carrie Tate (Bill), his six grandchildren, George Saliba (Katy), Peter Saliba, Korey Sargent, Lauren Holstein, Kelsey Holstein, and Charlotte Tate, and his three great-grandchildren, Grayson, Cameron, and Lillian.
A service will be held at a later date to be announced by the family.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church. Cremation has been entrusted to The Beachwood Cremation Society, 4444 Tamiami Tr. N. Naples (239)261-1767.