LACONIA ---- Norman A. Colburn, 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Merrimack County Nursing Home, Boscawen, NH.
He was born September 8, 1945, in Chelmsford, MA, the son of Leonard and Alice (Huard) Colburn.
Working his way up from Driver to Deputy Fire Chief Norman served the Fire Department for the City of Laconia for 21 years. After retiring from the fire department, he worked in Loss Prevention for the N.H. Municipal Association. Upon leaving NHMA, he returned to work for Stafford Oil as a maintenance technician.
Norman was a member of the Profile Automobile League. He loved to hunt, fish and hike. He enjoyed vacations driving to Florida with his family and spending summers in Maine. He later traveled with his wife Mary, through Prestige Plus to the Panama Canal and the National Parks. He loved to tinker, and his greatest joys outside of his family, were building his show cars which won him several awards and trophies. Spending Saturdays with his grandson Jack meant going to Dunkin Donuts, then onto NAPA to buy tools that he didn’t need, and “Solving the world’s problems”.
He is survived by his son Daniel and his wife Debbie, daughters Cynthia Baldwin and her husband Ted, and Katherine Stafford and her husband James, along with grandson Jack Stafford, sisters-in-laws Barbara Howland and Pam Patenaude and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife Mary E. (Swenson) Colburn.
Always remember Norman as a kind, patient man, friend, father and grandfather. Honor him when you hear a Beach Boys song or see an antique car drive by. And don’t forget to check your batteries and smoke detectors!
Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 from 5:00-7:00pm in the Carriage House at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home,164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 11:00am at Union Cemetery, 176 Academy Street, Laconia, NH followed by a Celebration of Life. The family invites anyone with an antique car to bring it in honor of Norman’s love for them.
For those who wish, a memorial donation in Norman’s name can be made to the Laconia Fire Department, 848 N Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.