Lawrence "Larry" Colbruno

Lawrence John “Larry” Colbruno passed away peacefully on July 3, 2020 surrounded by loved ones in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Larry was born in Lafayette, Colorado in 1933, the son of John Colbruno, an Italian coal miner, and Patricia Chacon, an immigrant from Mexico. His birth father was never present in his life and he said that Guido Marcelli, an Oakland restaurateur, was the closest thing he ever had to a real father, but he tragically died at 49. Larry loved his grandfather, Casimiro, and spoke highly of him. With his mother he moved to Berkley and Stockton, California where he graduated from Stockton High School.

He joined the Unites States Air Force at the onset of the Korean War and was assigned to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. His 20-year military career as a Medical Service Specialist, took him to Roswell, Travis, Lowry, Fort Sam Houston, Edwards, Rhein-Main, Evreux and Scott Air Force Bases.  He later served at Phù Cát Air Base and Da Nang Air Base in Vietnam as a supply sergeant and medical evacuation flight technician, the latter being his favorite assignment of his military career. During his time of service, he earned several achievement awards for outstanding performance and medals to include; The Air Medal For Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight, where outstanding airmanship and courage were exhibited in missions under extremely hazardous conditions in the Mission of The United States Air Force in Southeast Asia.

While assigned to the 26th Air Division in Long Island, New York he met and married Hannaleise (Lisa) Geub from Bad Godesberg, Germany, who he said bedazzled him with her charming accent. Their 54-year marriage produced his beloved daughter Patricia and son Michael, who he joked turned out to be “a pretty good kid.”  After retiring from the military, the family settled in Denver and then Aurora, Colorado.

In Colorado, he worked for twenty years in Psychiatry and Physical Therapy at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Denver. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing from his boat, wood carving, watching a good football game, painting, and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

In 2000, Larry and Lisa moved to Spring Hill, Florida, where he continued his love of fishing and boating, as well as riding his new Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife Lisa in 2010 and upon her passing, he then moved to the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi.  He also met Magnolia State native Donna Newbaker, who he married and spent the remainder of his life with. Together for 7 years, they loved to bowl, play cards. They loved traveling in their RV and loved to get together with family. Donna lovingly cared for him during his recent health challenges.

Larry will be remembered as a man who led by example. He was always the first to help a neighbor, was kind to everyone who he met, loved teaching various crafts and skills, and giggled at his own jokes. His smile was genuine.

In addition to his wife, Donna Colbruno, his children, Patricia and Michael; and son-in-laws Sepp Zink and Alex Paul; he is survived by four grandchildren, Lilian Berger(Misha), Christian, Stephan(Brigitte) and Eric Zink(Theres); six great-grandchildren, Lena, Hans, Semei, Noam, Micha, Elin Elea; Donna’s children, Stefanie (Lawrence), Rob (Felia), Renee’(John) and their children; Larry was also survived by his half-siblings, twins Jerry Colbruno and Judy Coffman, Joanne Colbruno and Nancie Snyder. Reconnecting with his half-siblings, after being estranged for much of their lives, was one of the great joys of his life. Larry will be laid to rest with his first wife at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi.

RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. at Washington Ave. in West Jackson County is proudly serving the Colbruno family.  Share memories, condolences and photos here on our website at www.riemannfamily.com