Daniel E. Colby, 53, of Windsor, passed away on Feb. 12 with family by his bedside.
He was born in Augusta on Sept. 3, 1958, the son of Rufus K. and Theresa (Fecteau) Colby. He attended Windsor Elementary School and graduated from Erskine Academy in June 1977.
Danny was raised in Windsor and went on to raise his own family in this local community that he loved so much. He had a daughter, Meagan, with his first wife, Kimberly in Jefferson. He also helped raise his stepson, Jeffrey C. Feyler Jr., with his second wife, Carole in Windsor.
Danny’s first job was raking blueberries and when he was old enough, he began working at Willoughby’s Store (Country Corners) in Coopers Mills. In 1980 Danny went to work at Pine State Tobacco & Candy and was there until he could no longer work a full time job due to his disabilities associated with Charcot Marie Tooth, a hereditary form of muscular dystrophy. Danny later went on to work part-time at Windsor Convenience/Rideout’s Market & Grille for more than 10 years, until January of last year when he was no longer able to continue work due his recent diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Throughout his many years in this community, he had built lifelong friendships and been very close with his family. Working in the local store was not just a job for Danny; it was what kept him going every day. It allowed him to keep in constant contact with the local people, family, and friends and even meet new people every day. He passed away peacefully, one year from the date in which hundreds of his friends gathered for a spaghetti dinner and auction to show support. It was because of their love and support that they were able to raise enough money for Danny to spend the last year of his life in his home surrounded by his friends and family, fighting every day to be with them. He was a strong man with strong relationships and it was those strong relationships that kept him such a strong man. Danny loved to go dancing, play cards and go fishing with his buddies. He was also a member of Masons Riverside Lodge A.F. & A.M. #135 in Jefferson.
Dan was predeceased by his father, Rufus; mother, Theresa; and sister, Lisa.
He is survived by his daughter, Meagan and husband Jacob Rogers of Whitefield; stepson, Jeffrey and wife Stacey of Windsor; sisters, Ann Grimshaw and husband Richard of Randolph and Zepherhills, Fla., and Janet Silva of Windsor; brothers, William St. Pierre and wife Audrey of Chelsea, and Nathaniel Colby and wife Kelly of Windsor; grandsons, Jacob Rogers Jr. and Jeffrey C. Feyler III; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Celebration of Danny’s life 6 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 23 at Windsor Elementary School.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Maine General Health Reach Hospice and Homecare.
Online condolences to the family can be made at www.directcremationofmaine.com.
Arrangements by Direct Cremation of Maine.