Wellington Chris Colombo

Wellington "Chris" Colombo, 91, of Waverly, died Monday, July 23, at Mountain View Care Center in Scranton.

Born in New Milford, Pa. on November 13, 1920, he was the son of the late Frank Colombo and Aurelia Marcheselli Colombo. He was a graduate of Waverly High School and attended Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute before his studies were interrupted by the call to arms in World War II. As a lieutenant in the Navy, he served as an aviator in Scouting Squadron 50 out of Astoria, Oregon. In the Pacific Theater, he served on the aircraft carrier USS Randolph as part of Bombing Squadron 82, flying the Curtiss Helldiver, a dive bomber he affectionately referred to as "the Beast." After leaving the Navy in 1948, he returned to Glenburn to start Colombo Construction, which he owned for 50 years.

A passionate gardener since childhood when he had his own garden next to his mother's, Chris was happiest tending his vegetables, starting fires that could be seen from space, pushing any and all machinery to the limit, and creating general mayhem whenever possible. He delighted in a good sour cream chocolate cake, feeding his dogs too much ice cream, and harassing his nephews at their job sights.

He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-one years, Jean Noble Colombo; four sisters, Mary and Ann Colombo, Madelyn Colombo Marzani and Mary O'Dea; three brothers, Eugene, Ernest and Dominick Colombo; a nephew, Patrick O'Dea; and a niece, Katherine O'Dea Van Deusen.

He his survived by two daughters, Leslie Colombo Geil and Elena Colombo; one brother, Frank Colombo Jr.; and thirteen nephews and three nieces.

Calling hours will be at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home on Friday, July 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. A luncheon for friends and family will be held at Camelot Restaurant and Inn at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at 17 Johnson Road, Waverly, PA