John M. Kolbas, 87, formerly of Norwich, went to his eternal home on Thursday, October 17, 2013. Born February 19, 1926 in Akron, Ohio, John was the son of John and Mary (Adam) Kolbas. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1947 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and joined Bristol Laboratories in Syracuse, NY that same year.
In 1970 he left Syracuse to build and serve as the General Manager of a production facility for Bristol Laboratories in Puerto Rico. He returned to Syracuse in 1973 as the Vice President of Operations for all Bristol production facilities.
In 1975, John joined Morton Norwich. From 1977 to 1979 he served as the President of Morton Salt in Chicago and from 1979 to 1982 he served as the President of Norwich Eaton Pharmaceutical, Inc. in Norwich, NY. He oversaw the transition of the company to a division of Procter & Gamble until his retirement in 1985.
Prior to and after his retirement in 1985 John was very active in many business, community and charitable organizations. He served as the Chenango Memorial Hospital Board Chairman, as a Director of the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency, as a Board Member of NBT Bank, and as a Commissioner on the 2020 Vision Commission on the Future. In addition, John served as a member of the Chenango County Airport Steering Committee, the Southern Tier Regional Economic Council and was a founding member of The Greater Norwich Local Development Corp.
John was very active with Catholic Charities and with St Paul’s Church in Norwich. Over the years he worked many hours planting, tending and harvesting vegetables in the North Norwich Community Garden, a garden which provides food to those in need living in the community. John’s efforts were recognized and he was honored by many organizations. He loved giving of his time, talents and treasure to those in need. He cared deeply about those here now and those who will follow.
John enjoyed golf and while a resident of Norwich he was an active member of Canasawacta Country Club. He enjoyed participating in the annual Member/Guest with his sons and he was a big supporter of the Monsignor Guy Festa Memorial Golf Tournament. More than the game of golf, John enjoyed the camaraderie of his friends both on and off the course.
On September 13, 1947, in Churchville, NY, John married Frances Woityra Kolbas, who predeceased him on October 11, 2012. He is survived by his sons and their spouses, John and Lydia Kolbas of Lakewood Ranch, FL and Robert and Yan Kolbas of Raleigh, NC.; by his six grandchildren Angie, Christie, Michael, Daniel, Sarah, and Mary; his four great-grand children Colin, Chandler, Brady and Abby, his sister Peggy Roth of Akron, OH, his brother Paul Kolbas of Spartanburg, SC, and by many cherished nieces and nephews. His sisters Mary Louise Kolbas and Anne Karabinos predeceased him.
A private family service will be held at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Sarasota, Florida. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Norwich. John and Fran wanted to live out their final days in Norwich, but that was not possible, now they have both returned to be together until the day of resurrection in the community they both loved and called home. In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in John’s memory to Tidewell Hospice (5955 Rand Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34238) or your favorite charity.