Obituary of Joseph Peter Colombo

Joseph Peter Colombo passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 12, 2023.  He was 38 years old.  Joseph was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts, the youngest child of Salvatore Colombo and Susan (Wrenn) Colombo, and “baby” brother of Jessica and Michael. Joseph was the proud owner of True Glass in Billerica, Massachusetts where Joseph lived as a child.

The Colombo family lived in Billerica from the time Joseph was born until he was seven years old. As a child, Joseph was all energy and enthusiasm, running top speed with a smile everywhere he went. Full of uninhibited beauty, Joseph was a carefree soul that played hard and with total abandon. He was the life of the Colombo and Wrenn holiday parties, and as little boys go, he was uniquely adorable.

Joseph moved with his family to Woburn, Massachusetts in the fourth grade where he excelled on the soccer field through middle school and into high school, eventually starring on the Woburn High School soccer team and being offered a scholarship from the University of Massachusetts.

Choosing instead to go to work with his loving dad and lifelong “best friend,” Sal, at Patriot Glass in Burlington, Joseph grew into a man that was generous, hard-working, and according to his mother and his sister, still uniquely adorable. Joseph worked with his dad and many of his friends for 20 years on projects large and small throughout the greater Boston area as they grew the company into a well-respected pillar of the local business community.

Still always on the go, Joseph did his best to help everyone, particularly his friends and his family. He spent many days and nights with his older brother Michael as they renovated houses in Baltimore, built decks and tiled bathrooms in Melrose, and hung rope swings, built firepits, and winterized boats in New Hampshire and Maine. Joseph always wanted to be around Michael from the time they were children. They had cookouts together, watched Patriots and Celtics games together, went camping together, and celebrated holidays together. They loved each other dearly, and cherished their shared stories with laughter and devotion.

Joseph’s sister, Jessica, and mother, Susan, were his guardian angels. They protected, loved and cared for him for his whole life. And Joseph loved them for it. Some of Joseph’s favorite memories were of family vacations to Italy, Oregon, and Ireland where he was able to go on “big adventures” with his whole family, including his nieces and nephews. While in Ireland, standing atop the 600+ steps of Skellig Michael, Susan’s fear of heights nearly prevented her from making the decent. Joseph took her by the arm and walked her carefully down every step. He protected everyone that way as much as they protected him. Joseph was the sum of his love, his loyalty, and the real joy he experienced with his family. We can become nothing greater.

Joseph was the loving son of Salvatore “Sal” and Susan (Wrenn) Colombo of Sanbornton, NH, formerly of Woburn.  He was the loving brother of Jessica Vaughan & her husband Scott of New Boston, NH and Michael Colombo & his wife Trish of Melrose.  He was the fun and loving uncle of Ava Vaughan, Harrison Vaughan, Jacob Colombo, and Thomas Colombo. He was survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved him deeply.  He was also survived by his beloved canine friend, Asia.

There will be a Celebration of Joe’s Life on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at the Bedford Village Inn, 2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, NH 03110, www.BedfordVillageInn.com from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Relatives and friends are invited to join Joe’s family to mourn his loss, honor his life, and celebrate his wonderful memory.  For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.