John W. Colegrove, 93, of Vero Beach, passed away on July 12, 2016, at VNA Hospice House.
He is survived by his former wife Phyllis Colegrove of Middletown, N.Y.; his companion Caryl Lutes of Vero Beach; daughters Janine C Doule (Robert) of Charlotte, N.C., Deborah C McNally (Thomas) of New Hampton, N.Y.; grandchildren Nicole Warren, Melanie Cox, Erin Hatch, and Ryan McNally; and seven great-grandchildren Kate, Jack and Drew Warren, Audrey and Lily Hatch, Calista and Nathan Cox.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Louise, brother Robert, former wives Bernice and Dorothy, and grandson Gregg Doule.
Colegrove was born Feb. 23, 1923, in Ithaca, N.Y., the son of Elizabeth and Carr Colegrove. He moved to Vero Beach in 1987 from Middletown, N.Y.
He retired from the Equitable Life Assurance Society of US in 1987 after 34 years of service in sales and management. He also taught and coached for 15 years at the high school level before entering the insurance business. In 1986 he retired as a New York State employee having served as a Town of Wallkill Councilman and Town Judge.
Colegrove graduated from Mt. Hermon Prep School in 1941 having played football, basketball, and lacrosse. He attended Ithaca College before being commissioned as an Ensign in the USNR. He served as a gunnery and communications officer aboard the USS LSM 353 in the Pacific Theatre.
Upon discharge in 1946, he returned to Ithaca College, graduating in 1947 with majors in Mathematics and Physical Education. In 1950 he was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict and served as the Head of the Mathematics Department and coached football and wrestling at the Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, R.I. He later served as Head of the Athletic Department at the Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Md. He retired from the USNR as a LCDR in 1983.
Colegrove was a member of Hoffman Masonic Lodge of Middletown, N.Y. and Amara Shrine Temple, West Palm Beach; a 45-year member of the American Legion, Middletown, N.Y.; a member of the BPO Elks Lodge in Middletown, N.Y. and Vero Beach; and the First Presbyterian Church, Vero Branch. He is a former member of the Rotary Club, Dodger Pines Men’s Golf League, and MOAA Vero Beach Retired Officers Association.
Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
