GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Richard "Dick" MacLaren Colwell, 82, of Gainesville, Ga., passed away April 9, 2015, after a courageous battle with progressive heart failure.

He was born Nov. 3, 1932, in New Rochelle, N.Y., the son of the late Robert T. and Louise O. Colwell. He grew up in nearby Pelham Manor, N.Y., and attended The Loomis Chaffee School and Colgate University, where he made life-long friends.

He married his high school sweetheart, Jean Schwartz, and eventually relocated to Redding, Conn. Together they shared the adventure of raising three sons and restoring a wonderful antique home built in 1773. Dick was active in the community and volunteered as quartermaster and assistant scoutmaster for Troop 15 for many years. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served in the Mediterranean during the late 1950s.

His career as an international marketing executive took him to more than 20 countries across the globe, where he researched and developed markets for major brands in consumer health, beauty and personal care. He retired after 32 years with Bristol-Myers Squibb in New York City as director marketing services, Consumer Products Group–International.

He resided in University Park, Fla., and Rockport during retirement.

In his spare time, Dick enjoyed camping, gardening, music, golf, traveling, volunteering, and spending time with his family, friends and grandchildren.

"Richard," "Dad," "Dick," "Uncle Dick," "Boppa" will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered as a generous and caring person, and a true friend and gentleman. He touched many people with his kind spirit and his memory will live in our hearts forever.

He is survived by his three sons, Peter Colwell and his wife, Paloma, of Cumming, Ga., Steven Colwell and his wife, Yumi, of Sandy Springs, Ga., and Chris Colwell and his wife, Susan, of Apex, N.C.; his brother, Howard Colwell of Exeter, N.H.; his grandchildren, Zachary Colwell of Wilmington, N.C., and Elizabeth Colwell of Apex, N.C.; his brother-in-law, Robert Tritsch of New Rochelle, N.Y.; his stepdaughters, Harriet Whelihan of Atlanta, Ga., and Fayelle DiMaggio of Quincy, Mass.; and good friend and companion, Peggy Chitty of Gainesville, Ga.

His sister, Susan Tritsch of New Rochelle, N.Y.; his first wife, Jean Colwell of Redding, Conn.; and his second wife, Tufts Davis of Rockport and Gainesville, Ga., predecease him. He leaves his many loving nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.

A celebration of life is planned for later this spring.