……….
Posted Nov 28, 2025 | 4:23 PM
John David Colson
Passed away happily on November 25, 2025 at Belleville General Hospital surrounded by family. John was born in Toronto March 27th 1943 to his parents Hugh & Evelyn Colson. He was the fourth born of five, George Colson, Elizabeth Watson, Rosemary Simmons and Patricia Glassford.
Growing up in Toronto he developed a love of Hockey early, playing competitively to Junior and finished playing in the Teacher’s league. He was a regular at Maple Leaf Gardens, witnessing the Leaf’s Final Stanley Cup in 67. After years of Leaf’s frustration his focus shifted sports to the Boston Celtics through the 80s & 90s. Hockey reentered his life when his daughters & grandchildren began playing and he loved watching them all with great pride.
In the early 70s John married Fern Mooney in Toronto and they followed her parents to Belleville where they settled down on a farm, raising four children, Eric (Michelle) Colson, Shannon (Bill Booth), Lindsey (Jeff) Pascoe & Andrea (Michel) Smith. John loved having a family, being a father and loved nothing more than having everyone together, preferably doing jobs for him!
He began his teaching career in Toronto and continued in Belleville teaching grades 7 & 8 at St. Micheal’s Academy & George Vanier Schools until his retirement in 2004. He was a true teacher who planned to be from a young age. He loved kids and said he always looked forward to returning to school after the summer break. While teaching he also farmed, raising beef with his family and also having horses, chickens and a few other animals over the years. When reminded that he never made any money farming he responded with, “yes, but that’s what I loved to do”
John enjoyed his golden years of retirement with his spouse Mary Mead, spending a great deal of time at his family cottage in Algonquin Park. He spent most summers there since he was a child and it was the place he loved the most. He looked forward to having his grandchildren visit and they include, Tayler Shannon, Brayden Wigley, Reid Pascoe, Rhett Colson, Nick Colson, Calleigh Pascoe, Waylon Booth, Evey Smith & Jos Smith. He was also a proud Great Grandfather of Eleanor Shannon, James Shannon & Emily Shannon.
Any who wish to enjoy memories of John are welcome to join his family & friends at Burke’s Funeral Home, 150 Church St., Belleville on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. If you wish to make a donation in memory of John, the Family suggests the Gleaners Food Bank.
Carry-On