TOPSFIELD- Mr. Edward J. Colbert 58, of Topsfield, died Thursday, September 1st, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family following a year-long battle with cancer. He faced his illness as he lived his life: with an indomitable spirit and an unfailingly positive attitude.

Born in Concord, he was the son of Edward M. Colbert and the late Dorothy (Hoar) Colbert. He was raised and educated in Concord and was a swimmer for and graduate of Concord-Carlisle High School, class of 1977. He continued his education and competitive swimming at the University of Maine, Orono, graduating in 1981.

Edward Colbert had a successful career in the telecommunication and information technology fields. He worked for Rolm, IBM, and Picturetel, and was most recently working with Polycom as a national account manager and team leader. Edward was much beloved by those who knew him; with his incredible energy and enthusiasm, he was the catalyst for many memorable occasions. He was the first skier down the mountain, the first swimmer into the waves, the organizer of Frisbee, volleyball, and flag football games, and the only one left balancing rocks on Ogunquit beach long after others had retired. He hosted the annual, hugely popular Christmas party, gifting "socks from Santa" for every guest, and he made his own pizza oven for hosting make-your-own pizza parties. He learned woodworking, and crafted board games for his children, furniture, and small watercrafts. Edward was a firm believer that "good begets good," and he found his greatest joy in helping others. He planted an enormous garden every year, and left free produce for neighbors at the "Ed's Organics" vegetable stand. He and his family were a host family with A Better Chance, and they volunteered on service and learning trips with the Topsfield Congregational Church. He participated many times in the Swim Across America to raise money for cancer research for Dana Farber and the Massachusetts General Hospital Children's Cancer Center. He was active with the Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sport Program and volunteered at the Topsfield Fair for the Topsfield Congregational Church. He also coached youth sports in the town of Topsfield for many years. Edward always said he was the luckiest man in the world because he was blessed with such a supportive and loving family. His family will say they were blessed with the model of a man who lived his life to the fullest. He is survived by his daughter, Michaela (Shayla) Whitney Colbert of Boston, his sons, Andrew (André) N. Colbert of Boston, Matthew (Mattieu) Edward Colbert of Topsfield and Kenneth (Kenny K) Karas of New York, New York, his father, Edward M. Colbert and his partner Beverly Simpson of Marblehead, his brothers, Michael Colbert of France, Stephen Colbert and his wife Bethany of Manchester, John Colbert and his wife Luann of Norwood, and Joseph Colbert and his wife Jean of Carlisle, his nieces and nephews, Stephanie, Michael, James, Tate, Kelsey, Keith, Kimberly and Jennifer and many extended family and friends.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral service will be held in the Congregational Church of Topsfield, East Common St., Topsfield, Saturday, Sept. 10th at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours in the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers, Friday, Sept 9th from 4 to 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Edward's memory to the Swim Across America, 30 Bullard Street, Suite 100, Walpole, MA, 02081 or to Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sport, P.O. Box 139, Killington, VT., 05751. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com