Herbert Colson

Herbert G. Colson, Jr., 88, went home to be with Jesus and the love of his life Verna (Sawtelle) Colson on June 23, 2022 in Portland, Maine with his family by his side. Herb, a longtime resident of Hampden, was born in Lubec on April 10, 1934 and was delivered by his maternal grandmother Alice (Cox) Lingley. He was the only child of Eva (Lingley) and Herbert G. Colson, Sr.
Herb was a graduate of Calais High School in June of 1953. He was a proud Marine, he enlisted on January 27, 1954. He was discharged on January 27, 1956, but would continue serving in the Marine Corp Reserve until 1962. He joined the Coast Guard Reserves in 1976 until 1978.
Herb was introduced to Verna by his grandmother Colson in 1955, and they were married on June 15, 1956. Herb started out as owner and operator of a poultry farm in Lubec, but had to get out of the business due to health issues. He then went to work for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut for 18 months, but moved Verna back home to Maine where she was the happiest. He attended what was then EMVTI (EMTC now) for accounting in Bangor. After graduating from college he went to work for Diamond International. He later left there to pursue work as an audit supervisor at the Maine State Retirement System in 1981, and retired from state employment in 1996.
Herb was a longtime member of Crosspoint Church in Bangor, where he and his wife were facilitators of the Silver Saints. He was also a faithful member of the Maine Troop Greeters and Gideon International for many years.
Herb was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Verna (Sawtelle) Colson. He is survived by his five children; Charlie and his wife, Debra, of Orrington, Stephen and his wife, Carol, of Venice, Florida, Gary and his wife, Becky, of Dyer Brook, Gina and her husband, Randy Scalise, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Greg and his wife, Sue, of Hudson. He was loved by his grandchildren; Sarah and her husband, Robbie Dominick, of Brewer, Mandy and her husband, Raheem Odeleye, of Brewer, Danielle and her husband, Camerin Seigars, of Eddington, McKenzie of Hudson, Josiah Scalise and his wife, Allie, of Wichita, Kansas, and Aiden Rose Scalise of Jacksonville, Florida. He is also remembered by his great grandchildren; AJ and Luke Dominick, Dele, Tunde, and Sade Odeleye, and Sylvia Seigars. He is also survived by his close cousin, Carol Ann and her husband, Jim Moores, of Franklin.
Friends may gather with the family from 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 14 at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Chapel of Brookings-Smith located at 45 Western Ave., Hampden.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday July 15 at the Crosspoint Church, 1476 Broadway, Bangor, with Rev. Jerry Mick presiding. Interment will be in Lubec at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Friday July 15.
The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Solstice of Bangor where Herb had resided for the past several years. They would also like to thank the staff at Maine Veterans home in Scarborough and the doctors and nurses at Maine Medical Center in Portland, especially Hannah and Jerome.
Those who wish to remember Herb in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Maine Veteran’s Home, Scarborough, 290 US Route 1 Scarborough, ME, 04074. Condolences to the family may be expressed at Brookingssmith.com.