On Sunday, September 4, 2022, we lost our beloved father, husband, grandfather, uncle, friend.  Heber was proud to have enjoyed 90 years of life.  He peacefully passed away at the Cumberland Regional Hospital in Amherst.  Born October 19, 1931, son of Tom and Effie (Greene) Colbourne in Little Brehat, Newfoundland.  He grew up in the small northern fishing village, where travel was by boat or dogsled, and brought with him a deep commitment to family and community that was evident throughout his life.  He moved to Sackville, NB to attend Mount Allison University (being the first of his community to attend university, a happy consequence of being the fisherman's son who was seasick and not destined for the seas).  There he met the love of his life Thelma, and they were married July 17, 1958.  Ordained as a United Church minister, Heber served in Middlewood, NS; Northwest River, Labrador, NL; Fortune, NL; Corner Brook, NL; Elmsdale, NS; Cushing, PQ; O'Leary, PEI; Sydney River, NS; Kemptville, ON; St. Anthony, NL; Pugwash, NS; and New Richmond, PQ.  While in university he was a chaplain for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Heber was kind.  Honest.  Hard working.  The person you could count on.  Always.  His laugh could light up a room.  Always generous with his time for others.  He was a leader, who expected more from himself than he would ever ask of anyone else.  He loved to sing, and music brought him joy throughout his life, through church choirs, as well as engaging anyone willing to join in to sing at every opportunity.  He loved listening to his son Paul play the piano.  He was an avid reader, and liked to debate religious beliefs.  He had a great appreciation of nature, and would often pause to enjoy the beauty of a sky, and tell us how he would like to paint it. A lifelong artist, his works are proudly displayed in loved one's homes.  In his later years, the thing he treasured most was a hug from his grandchildren.  A gift to them, to know such unconditional love.

He is survived and dearly missed by his loving family:  wife Thelma (Mattinson) Colbourne of Pugwash, NS; children Suzanne (Melvin) Chandler of Medicine Hat, AB, Paul (Francine) Colbourne of Ottawa, ON, Anthony (Andrea) Colbourne of Halifax, NS, Annette (Brad) MacQuarrie of Rawdon, NS.  Grandchildren: Natasha Chandler, Melanie (Jason) Francis, Melodie and Roseline Colbourne, Gabrielle MacQuarrie.  Great grandchildren:  Summer and Nikolina Francis.  Sister: Vi Richards.  He was predeceased by his parents, brothers: Albert, Freeman, Ferd, Andrew, and sisters: Julie, Carol, Mime, Sarah.

Funeral service will be held at Wesley Saint Matthew's United Church in Pugwash, Thursday, September 15 ^th at 2pm, followed by a brief reception at the church and graveside service shortly after.  Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in loving memory of Heber.