WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Henry Joseph "Joe" Colpoys died peacefully at his home in Williamstown, Mass., on December 15, 2017.



Joe was born on December 9, 1930, in Glens Falls, N.Y., a son of the late Henry and Mary Lawler Colpoys. He attended schools in Fort Edward, N.Y., and graduated from Hudson Falls High School. Joe continued his education at Niagara University and SUNY Albany Teachers College and the doctoral program at Columbia University.



He was a decorated veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict.



Joe was employed for 36 years as a high school guidance counselor at the Croton-Harmon Schools in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., retiring in 1994 and moving with his wife Gail to Williamstown. He was a communicant of Saints Patrick and Raphael Parish in Williamstown. He was a member of the New York State United Teachers Association. During retirement he volunteered at the Milne Public Library at the Mt. Greylock Guidance Office and served on the board of Greylock A Better Chance.



His wife of 58 years, Gail (Sullivan) Colpoys, whom he married August 18, 1956, died on July 14, 2015.



Joe is survived by his daughter, Liz Costley and her husband Tom; and his wonderful grandchildren, Cate and Luke. He was predeceased by his older daughter Abbie in 2006. His brother Gerald Colpoys of Kennebunk, Maine, also survives him.



Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saints Patrick and Raphael Church, 54 Southworth Street, Williamstown, on Friday, December 22, 2017, at 11 a.m.



Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in South Glens Falls, N.Y., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe's memory can be made to the Milne Public Library.