Of Everett passed away on January 6, 2019. Beloved son of Stanley V. Colson and the late Elsbeth B. (Horath) Colson. Dear brother of Ralph Colson and his wife Linda Bellofatto and Carl Colson and his wife Judy. Loving uncle of Matthew, Allison, Daryl Ann and Elsbeth. Also survived by his pal Buddy. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service in the First Lutheran Church, 62 Church St, Malden on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 10am. Visiting Hours will be held in the JF Ward Funeral Home, 772 Broadway on Monday from 4-8pm. He brought joy and smiles to the people around him throughout his life. Bernie's love for music began as a child. He continued his musical interests as the first chair alto saxophonist throughout his time at Everett High School and the University of Miami. As a biologist, he became interested in snakes and frequented them as pets in his early life. He enjoyed cycling up until his accident. Through persistence, Bernie rehabilitated in Spaulding Hospital and thereafter lived an adventurous life—through his travels to England and Germany and frequenting museums and sporting events. He had an admiration for his family and brought love, along with a smile, to all those who knew him. Bernie will be immensely missed by his family and his dog companion, Buddy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Acquired Brain Injury Waiver through the University of Massachusetts Medical School who helped keep him at home. Donations may be made to https://w3.umassmed.edu/onlinedonation/ by selecting the "other" under I wish to donate and writing in "Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program" or by calling 508-856-5615. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For online directions and guestbook please visit www.jfwardfuneralhome.com