OWLS HEAD — John Francis Colby, 93, formerly of Whitinsville, Mass., died peacefully in his sleep on July 11, 2015, following an extended illness.

Born in Whitinsville, Mass., on Aug. 17, 1921, he was the son of John S. and Ruth Mateer Colby. He graduated from Northbridge High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He was employed by Astra Pharmaceutical (now AstraZeneca) for over 23 years, retiring in 1984 as manager of corporate administration. During his career he led five different month-long expeditions to South American jungles to obtain poisonous frog venom that was later used to create new medicines. He also oversaw the construction of Astra's manufacturing facility in Westborough, Mass.

He was a long-time member and former treasurer of the Northbridge Center Congregational Church and later Rockland Congregational Church, where he served on that denomination's National Missions Board. He was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society, driving patients to Portland for treatments. He was also involved in numerous other organizations.

John was an avid reader and enjoyed boating, skiing and traveling the world. He also was skilled in woodworking, particularly building mantle clocks. For more than 50 years, with five other couples, the Colby's met every other month in a group called "the supper club." The group started in Whitinsville at the close of World War II and continued until recent years, meeting in homes from Florida to Maine.

He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Priscilla Holden Colby, who died in 2010. He is survived by his daughter, Florence Ruth Colby of Owls Head; his son, John Steven Colby and his wife, Susan, of Worcester, Mass.; four grandchildren, Steven Anderson and his wife, Teresa, of Northbridge, Mass., Gina Hendricks of Owls Head, Ryan Colby and his wife, Nikki, of Charlotte, N.C., and Reagen Brown and her husband, Colin, of Kernersville, N.C.; seven great-grandchildren, Joshua Anderson and his wife Sarah, Matthew Anderson, Katelyn Hendricks and her fiancé, Jay Brown, Hannah Hendricks, Colby Brown, Riley Brown and Caden Colby; and one great-great grandson, Lincoln Brown.

An informal memorial gathering will be held Thursday, July 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. Interment will be announced in Pine Grove Cemetery in Whitinsville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sussman House, c/o Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation, 22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841.