This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RonColby41 Surnames: Colby, Hanney, Lowe Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.colby/1174/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Russell Colby, longtime NSH security chief EASTHAMPTON - Russell William Colby, 70, of Park Street and formerly of Pine Street, died on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, after a courageous eight-year battle with prostate cancer. Russ was born in Holyoke on March 14, 1938, and was the son of Russell P. and Gertrude (Hanney) Colby. He was raised and educated in Easthampton. After school he enlisted in the National Guard with the 104th Infantry Unit of Northampton and then enlisted into the United States Air Force, where he served as a military police officer. Upon his return from military service he was a police officer at the former Northampton State Hospital for 35 years, retiring in 1991 as the chief of security. Russ was married on May 3, 1958, to Nina (Lowe) Colby, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage together. He was a member of the Easthampton Congregational Church. He enjoyed collecting clocks, and loved country music and traveling with his wife Nina and family to Cape Cod. He is survived by his loving wife, Nina (Lowe) Colby; his mother, Gertrude (Hanney) Colby of Hadley; three sons, Scott W. Colby and his wife, Cindy, of Holyoke, Brian K. Colby and his wife, Suzanne, of Easthampton, and Kevin M. Colby of West Springfield; four daughters, Linda Lee Charles of Springfield, Lisa Ann Lee of Chicopee, Tracey Lynn Flores and her husband, Porfirio, of Indian Orchard, and Kimberly Ann Colby of Chicopee; one sister, Barbara Dowland and her husband, Richard, of Holyoke; 12 grandchildren, Kyle, Keith, Scott, Derek, Devyn, Ashley, Ebony, Michael, Jeremy, Justin, Sydney and Isaac; and two great-grandchildren, Hanna and Ryan, along with many nieces and nephews. Russ was predeceased by his father, Russell P. Colby, a brother, Harold Colby, and a granddaughter, Crystal Marie Dahlquist. Funeral services and burial will all be private and at the convenience of the family and there are no calling hours. The Graham Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorials are requested in his memory to the VNA Hospice of Cooley Dickinson Hospital, P.O. Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.