MACHIASPORT – Welton Douglas Colbeth, 76, died Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, with his loving family by his side, at a Bangor health care facility after a long illness. He was born April 13, 1933, in Machiasport, son of the late Gleason and Lillian (Beal) Colbeth. Mr. Colbeth was a graduate of Washington Academy, East Machias, in 1951. After graduation, he began digging clams in Downeast Maine for several years. In the late 1950s he began his career in the textile industry in Machias and in 1964 relocated to Florida and then to Rhode Island where he furthered his career in the textile industry. Welton and his family returned to Maine in 1984 opening and operating a small grocery store Tilly’s, Machiasport. He also began driving school buses for SAD 77 in the East Machias area. He retired from SAD 77 as a bus driver and began volunteering with WHCA for many years. With his love of the ocean, he enjoyed fishing, and boating. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play basketball and loved his family very much. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees baseball team. He shared 45 years with Carole (Libby) Colbeth of Machiasport. In addition to his wife, family members include a daughter, Wendy Sawyer and husband, Kenneth “Whip;” his sons, Douglas Colbeth and his wife, Melanie, John Bridges and his wife, Tricia, Edmund Bridges and his wife, Ellen and Paul Bridges and his wife, Nola; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by three brothers, Gleason Jr., Julian and Hollis. A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, 220 Court St., Machias, with Pastor Bill Holmes officiating. The family of Welton would like remembrances in his name made to Friends of Little River Lighthouse, P.O. Box 671, East Machias, ME 04630. www.bragdonkelley.com.
WELTON DOUGLAS COLBETH
