James A. Colonna
James A. Colonna, 89, of Selinsgrove, Pa., formerly of Punxsutawney, passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at his home after a long illness.
Jim was born June 13, 1931, in Kittanning, and was a son of the late James V. and Maria (Mazza) Colonna.
On July 19, 1969, he married Ruth E. Kerr.
He was a parishioner at Sts. Cosmas and Damian Roman Catholic Church in Punxsutawney, where he served as a cantor and choir member. Most recently, he attended St. Pius X Catholic Church in Selinsgrove.
Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and served in the Anti-Aircraft Corps in Pittsburgh.He graduated from St. Vincent College in 1956, and earned his master's degree in music from Duquesne University.He had a distinguished career of 37 years as the band director and music department chair at Punxsutawney Area High School, where he was a teacher of well over a thousand students and a second father to many. He took his students to perform at the World's Fair in New York City and several times to Walt Disney World. Perhaps his proudest moment was having his band selected to perform at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for a Fourth of July concert in Washington, D.C. Jim retired in 1993 with a concert in Barclays Square, attended by more than 1,000 well-wishers.He will be remembered as an amazing and loving husband, father and grandfather, and a champion of music education, and a dedicated teacher and mentor.In addition to his wife of 51 years, Ruth, Jim is survived by four children and their families, Jim Colonna and his wife, Chrissy, of Dover, Pa., Kimberly Colonna of Harrisburg, Colleen Wentz and her husband, Ed, of Selinsgrove, Pa., and Corry Colonna of Long Beach, Calif.He is also survived by six beautiful grandchildren, Abigail and Anthony Colonna, and Alexandra, Zachary, Isabella and Aubrianne Wentz; and his sister, Jeanette Schmidt and family of Butler.COLONNA — A private funeral Mass for James A. Colonna, who died Tuesday, March 2, 2021, will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Selinsgrove, Pa., with the Rev. Tukura Pius Michael O.P. as celebrant.Private interment with military honors will be accorded by the Jefferson County Veterans Honor Guard and will be held in Calvary Cemetery, Punxsutawney.The family anticipates hosting a celebration of Jim's life this summer.Arrangements are being handled by V.L. Seebold Funeral Home, 601 N. High St., Selinsgrove, Pa.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Colonna Family Scholarship at St. Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.
