Person:Ralph Colby (1)

Spruce Head Island — Ralph Lurvey Colby, 99, passed away peacefully July 7, 2015, at Sussman House in Rockport. He was born in the Cyrus Rackliff Home on Waterman’s Beach Road in South Thomaston Sept. 15, 1915, where his mother was brought from Andrews Island Neck for his birth. He was the son of William Walter Colby and Dorothy B. Lurvey Colby.

He was educated in the Spruce Head Village School. At an early age he worked on the steamer J.T. Morse. Later he was employed by Harry Waterman at his hen farm, which developed into a lifelong relationship with the Waterman family, especially Ann Waterman Cousens.

On June 3, 1939, he married Marian Watts of South Thomaston (the 'Keag) at the Baptist Church in Rockland. During World War II, he was an officer in the Merchant Marine Service. Following the war, he moved to Spruce Head Island and lobstered off Hewitts Island in the f/v Helmar. This 32-foot boat was built for him at the 'Keag in 1952 by the Makinen brothers.

After the loss of Ralph’s first wife, he later met Elsie Smith and they married on Oct. 10, 1972. He retired in 1991, following a heart attack. Not one to “lay on his oars,” Ralph picked up a paddle and spent the succeeding years cruising the Mussel Ridge Islands in his kayak being “tour guide,” especially to the Vermont ladies and Dana.

He also got in many rounds of golf in his retirement, as well as enjoying breakfast with his many friends at the 'Keag Store. He is a 76-year member and Past Master of Knox Lodge 189 A.F. & A.M. in South Thomaston and a life-member of Forget-Me-Not Chapter OES 128 and Ivy Chapter 16 in Warren. He was a member of the Spruce Head Community Hall and Historical Association, and a member of the Wessaweskeag Historical Society. He was the current holder of the Boston Post cane for the town of South Thomaston.

Ralph was predeceased by his first wife, Marian; brothers Kenneth and Chester Colby; sister Ruby Makinen; nephew Leslie Makinen; and half-sisters Bernice Hoffess and Evie Winchenbach.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Elsie Colby; son C. William Colby (Barbara) of Spruce Head Island; daughter Helen Campbell (Philip) of Kennebunk; half-brother James A. Smith (Sally) of Damariscotta; niece Marcia Wilcox (David) of Gorha;, and nephew William Walter Colby of Rockland; grandson Verne "Chip" Bodwell III (Margaret) of Arundel; and grea- grandsons Colby and Jake Bodwell.

He is also survived by his stepdaughters, Diane Post (Ashley) of Spruce Head Island, Linda Butler, (Walter) of Thomaston and Marlene Campbell (Steve) of Millinocket; as well as many step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren and step-great-great-grand children.

Ralph’s wish was to be a body donor for research at the University of New England and this wish was realized upon his passing.

The family would like to thank Kno-Wal-Lin and Sussman House for their compassionate care.

At a date to be announced, the family invites all his many friends to a memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Spruce Head Community Hall and Historical Association P.O. Box 323, Spruce Head, ME 04859.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Knox, Maine, United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   South Thomaston, Knox, Maine, ED 20, roll 835, page , image 435.0.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2}
   Database online.

   Record for Ralph L Colby

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 New York, New York, United States. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, NY, 1897-1957. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T715)
   Database online.

   Record for Ralph L Colby