Paul O. Kolbe, 96, of Newtown died peacefully February 22 at River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury. The husband of 64 years to the late Lois Hitchcock Kolbe, he was a son of the late Alice Marshall Kolbe and Max Kolbe of Akron, Ohio.Samaria as part of the largest convoy to cross the Atlantic. On July 4, 1944, his company landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, where he was severely injured four days later when the American forces were sorely outnumbered by Hitler's elite Panzers and 70 percent of his company as lost. He received numerous medals for his service, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. In 2012, Mr Kolbe was awarded an honorary master in military arts from Cumberland University, Tennessee, related to his combat training. Mr Kolbe was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of VFW Post 308 in Newtown.

He grew up in Akron. As a young man, he worked at Firestone, then helped to fabricate boilers for war ships until he was drafted in November 1942 into the 83rd Infantry Division of the US Army, the 329th Buckshots. After abbreviated but rugged training, he sailed from New York City to Liverpool, England, in the HMS

He returned home after eight months in various hospitals, married, started building a family and his own home, diligently spending hours after work each day and on weekends for about two years. He enjoyed family get-togethers, growing a large garden, and seeing old high school and neighborhood friends. However, in 1960, while working for Diamond Match Co., he was transferred to Connecticut and the family settled into Norwalk until 1984. He was very active there in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, serving as president of the Church Council during the building of the new church.

The Kolbes moved to Newtown after retirement and became involved with volunteer activities, including Meals On Wheels and the Red Cross. Mr Kolbe became a Saturday regular at the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association, rebuilding steam engines and serving on the board of directors. He was a wizard with any machine and loved the challenge of bringing old steam engines back to life. After settling in Newtown, the Kolbes chose Valley Presbyterian Church in Brookfield as their home church and have considered their church "family" a wonderful part of their lives. From the days when they went to help fold bulletins to the many Deacons Breakfasts and pot lucks and coffee hours, to the many trips out for ice cream and the home visits and home communion during the last year, they always found Valley's motto "Love grows here" to be true.

The Kolbes made many visits to wherever children and grandchildren lived. He spent many hours in New Hampshire helping rebuild antique homes, tinkering with the engines of the grandchildren's derelict snowmobiles, repairing tractors, mowing grass, and so much more. He traveled and did target practice with his daughter Marilyn and her husband Bill, and enjoyed visiting points of interest with them.

Mr Kolbe took over the complete care of his wife as she became ill and he became her caregiver for seven years. He learned to cook, clean, do laundry, and provide personal care, refusing all help, while keeping up the yard and car care. He was an independent and fiercely self-sufficient person. He was clever and practical, honest and sincere, with a great memory. He loved to tell his life stories and many of them were quite funny; his grandchildren found him very entertaining. Although many heard these stories more than once, every so often, he would come out with a new one to surprise his family and make them smile. He will be sadly missed, but remembered so very often by all who knew him.

His daughter Marilyn McCarthy and husband Bill of Southbury; his daughter Linda Kasiewicz and husband Allen of Wolfeboro, N.H.; grandchildren Simon and his wife Julie of Tennessee, Christopher and wife Melissa of Oregon, and Alden of Oregon; three great-grandchildren; his sister Ruth Plumlee of Akron; and several nieces survive Mr Kolbe. In addition to his wife, his sisters Marcene Hagarty and Dorothy Ambrose, and his brother, Robert Kolbe, predeceased him.

Friends will be received at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, on Friday, February 26, from 4 to 7 pm. A memorial service will be held at Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 West Whisconier Road, Brookfield, Saturday, February 27, at noon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Presbyterian Church, or Newtown Meals On Wheels, PO Box 122, Newtown CT 06470.

To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com.