Obituary of John W. Colburn

John W. Colburn, Age 74, passed away on November 1, 2021, at Rochester, NY General Hospital after a brief illness. His youngest brother, Paul, was there at his passing. John was the son of Wesley Colburn and Nina (Forney) Colburn, both deceased. He grew up in Youngstown, NY. Mr. Colburn was a member of 4H Club learning electrical work from his father. John and Tom Tower wired Wesley Colburn’s garage as their senior 4H project. He graduated from Lewiston Porter High School in Youngstown, NY. Mr. Colburn joined the US Navy during his senior year in high school and served aboard the USS Diamond Head during the Viet Nam War. He remained in the Naval Reserves while attending Niagara County Community College and remained active until his retirement. John earned an Associate Degree in Science Technology from Niagara County Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He worked at RIT as an engineering technician. Mr. Colburn also worked at several Rochester, NY companies including Kodak as an engineer. John was the sexton at Christ Lutheran Church in Rochester for several years until the church was sold. While at Christ Lutheran Church he also served as a Boy Scout troop leader. He was very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Healy Post, and served as their Chaplin. John worked as a lifeguard at several locations including the Hidden Valley Club and the Rochester YMCA. Mr. Colburn was a Certified Pool Operator when he oversaw the operations at the Hidden Valley Club pool. He was very proud of teaching various “Water Babies” programs Currently Mr. Colburn was delivering the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper as well as other newspapers and magazines. He enjoyed delivering the papers and his customers spoke well of him. He had many friends at the Parkside Diner and in the Rochester area. Mr. Colburn is survived by his sister, Marie (Colburn)Bathrick (Erie, PA), his brothers, Lawrence Colburn (Carla Caputo) (Bensalem, PA), Paul Colburn (Youngstown, NY) and his niece, Sabrina Colburn (Bensalem, PA). He will be interred at Acacia Park, North Tonawanda, NY near his father and grandmother. Arrangements entrusted to Hardison Funeral Homes Inc.