Paul Thomas Colon

Paul Thomas Colón, 89, passed away Friday, March 3, 2017, in the presence of his loving family. Paul is survived by his children, Paul, Steven (Carrie), Jeff (Tricia) and Denise; stepdaughter. Laura (Bob); grandchildren, Matt, Alec, Leigh, Gemma, Peri, Jeffrey Jr., and Kiki; and step-grandchildren, Thomas and Sarah Mood. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances J. Demotte Colón, the mother of his children, who died in 1965. In 1981, Paul married Elvera “Vera” (Martin) Colón, and they enjoyed 33 years of marriage before her death in 2014. Paul was born July 13, 1927, in Queens, NY. He attended George Washington High School, New York City, where he became a standout swimmer and relay team anchor. He graduated in 1946, and shortly thereafter joined the Army where he was immediately deployed to the Western Pacific to be part of the post-war occupation force in Japan. He ran the Officers mess for General McArthur’s staff in Tokyo until March1947. Upon his discharge from the Army, Paul returned to New York and worked in various clerical capacities while attending night school. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hofstra College in 1956 and went to work for Republic Aviation. This proved to be the start of an impressive career in the defense contracting industry. In 1964, he joined Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Long Island, NY. He spent 25 years with Grumman working on various aircraft programs including the Lunar Module (LEM), A-6 Intruder, and F-14 Tomcat. Paul rose through the ranks and retired in 1989 as the Director, Configuration Data Management Division. In 1990, he and Vera found their dream home in Easton where they spent the remainder of their years. Both in Long Island and Maryland, boating was his number one hobby. At the young age of 24, Paul and two companions sailed down the Atlantic Coast.The local Brooklyn newspaper covered their journey and said, “With 90% book knowledge and 10% practical sailing knowledge, the young men will sail down the Atlantic coast on an extended voyage which will eventually take them to South America.” Although they did not make it past Florida, they did spend a few days anchored in Oxford, MD. Paul cruised all over the Chesapeake with his wife, Vera, and they were both active members of the Poplar Islands Yacht Club and the Tred Avon Yacht Club. But family was clearly Paul’s highest priority. In a response to his grandson Matt’s school project question about his favorite thing in the world, Paul responded “my family.” Family gatherings at his Easton home took on a life of their own, and family members greatly appreciated them. Paul also had a way of making family friends feel a part of the family and welcomed everyone with his warm smile and personal attention. His extended family would travel from New York, North Carolina, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii to attend annual family events and appreciate his company and his stalwart commitment to getting the family together and keeping them close. Paul was an active member of Christ Church in Easton, MD; the Talbot Country Club, and was very active in community activities in both Oxford and Easton. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 11 AM at Christ Church, Easton. Burial will be held at a later date in New York. The family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Dr., Easton, MD, 21601 or Christ Church, 111, S. Harrison St., Easton, MD, 21601.

Paul Thomas Colon

July 13, 1927 - March 3, 2017