Angelo Colombo, USAAF

[BLUEHAWK]

ANGELO "ANG" COLOMBO
















Angelo "Ang" Colombo Coach, Teacher, World War II Veteran P-51 Fighter Pilot, aged 90, father of four children and devoted husband of Marianne Colombo passed away on December 8th, 2010 with his loving family surrounding him.

Angelo is preceded in death by his parents, Giovanni and Giovanina Colombo. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marianne Imelda (Sullivan) Colombo, his children and spouses, Suzanne Burns (Jim Burns), Patricia Colombo (David Ruprecht), Russell Colombo (Lynn Colombo), and Stephen Colombo; six grandchildren, Ali Burns (Todd Porter), Maia Burns (Ryan Ritter), Angela Colombo (Django Heckler), Kevin Colombo, Daniel Colombo, John Colombo; three great grand-children, Emerson Ritter, Beckett Ritter, and Brody Porter, and his brother, (Enrico) Harry Colombo of Santa Rosa.

Angelo was a beloved teacher and coach at San Rafael High School and a respected member of the Marin County community. He touched the lives of so many young adults during his 35 years at SRHS whether it was on the basketball court, in the classroom, as Athletic Director, or as Dean of Boys. His positive impact was felt by countless individuals for many years.

Angelo was born on May 19, 1920 in Cassano Magnago, Italy. After immigrating to the United States, his family settled in San Rafael. Ang attended San Rafael High School where he graduated in 1939. His college years were spent at College of Marin and San Jose State where he played intercollegiate basketball and baseball. After graduation he played Triple A professional baseball in San Jose for a short time.

Angelo joined the Air Force in 1941 and was trained as a fighter pilot. He flew P 51 Mustangs during World War II in the South Pacific, completing 130 missions. Ang was twice decorated with the Air Medal.

Ang and Marianne were married after the war in 1946 at Holy Names Church in San Francisco. He began his teaching career in Modesto before returning to his Alma Mater, San Rafael High School to teach History, Health and Physical Education. He also coached basketball and baseball for many years. In addition to his teaching, Ang was active in the community. He helped organize the first Little League program in San Rafael, was an active member of Kiwanis Club and was instrumental in building a baseball facility and park near the present intersection of 3rd Street and Highway 101 in San Rafael.

Ang was a lifelong member of St. Raphael's Parish. He retired from teaching in 1978 and was inducted into the Marin County Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. Ang was the first recipient of San Rafael High School's Wall of Honor in 2009 along with his lifelong friend, Hugo Rinaldi. He was also honored as the Marin County Italian American Citizen of the year in 2009. Angelo Colombo, regarded as a legend in San Rafael, was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, and this community that he loved so dearly.

We will miss you Ang. God Bless you. There will be a memorial mass celebrating Ang Colombo's life at St. Raphael's Church on Tuesday, December 14th at 11:00AM. A reception immediately following will be held at the San Rafael Recreation Center on B Street in San Rafael.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be made to the Marin Athletic Foundation, P.O. Box 150930, San Rafael, CA, 94915 or Hospice by the Bay, 17 E. Sir Francis Drake, #100, Larkspur, CA 94939.


Published in Marin Independent Journal from December 11 to December 14, 2010



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