Colby James Caravaggio, age 54, of Wrentham, formerly of Walpole, passed away at home on March 6, 2024, following a courageous 8-month battle with pancreatic cancer. At the time of his death, Colby was surrounded by his loving family: his wife and best friend of 26 years, Suzanne (Di Piero), his daughters Kathryn and Juliana, and his son Anthony, all of Wrentham.
Following his graduation from Bridgewater-Raynham High School in 1988, Colby worked various jobs, including at Entex Information Services in Canton where he was known for his quick wit and pulling more than his fair share of friendly pranks on his coworkers. Colby later attended Bridgewater State College where he pursued his undergraduate degree in art. It was there that Colby, a talented artist, discovered his passion for pottery, particularly wheel throwing, a skill which he would continue to hone for the rest of his life. He later received his master’s degree in education from Framingham State College.
In 1999, Colby accepted his first and only teaching position as the art teacher at the Peter Noyes Elementary School in Sudbury where, as he would often remind his wife, he taught “more than 500 children per week.” While wheel throwing provided him a creative outlet, his greater joy was teaching students from kindergarten through fifth grade how to tap into their own inner artist in order to imagine, create, and experience art in multiple forms and media, all the while infusing his own brand of encouragement, kindness, and fun. Among his notable lessons were the Andy Goldsworthy project whereby his students would create artworks from nature’s own art supplies, a clay unit making pinch pots, the Square 1 Art fundraiser, and the ever popular and always highly anticipated annual school-wide art show. In an effort to give back to the community, at the end of each school year, Colby would conduct pottery wheel demonstrations for his classes, showing them how to throw bowls, vases, and other pots on the wheel. Over the summer he would glaze and fire the pieces and then hold an auction the following fall during Open House, the proceeds from which he would donate to charity.
In addition to teaching and creating art, Colby was an avid reader and would take such joy not only in delving into his next read, but also appreciating the artwork and absorbing the feel and smell of each novel. He looked forward to attending local book fairs and was a frequent visitor with his children at the Walpole Public Library where “everybody knew his name.” Colby also loved all things pertaining to nature, e.g., hikes through Blue Hills and other local parks and forests, bird watching (and he could identify most), working on his family’s annual vegetable garden, and indulging in his wife’s requests that he accompany her on her frequent trips to nurseries for “just a few more plants.”
Most of all, Colby loved and dedicated his life to his family. A devoted husband and doting dad to their three children, the love Colby had for his family was immeasurable and readily apparent to anyone who met him. His face beamed whenever he spoke of his family, and he was their biggest cheerleader for each and every event, performance, assignment, or game. Dance Dad, soccer coach, baseball coach, sleepover party game coordinator, and arts and crafts leader were all hats he wore with pride.
A kind-hearted and gentle person with a smile that could light up a room, Colby, even in the face of his most recent adversity, taught those around him to always look for the glimmers and approach life’s challenges with positivity, humor, and love. So much love.
In addition to his wife and children, Colby is survived by his brother Kevin E. Skaltsis and his wife Jessica of East Greenwich, RI; his uncle David O’Reilly and his wife Patricia of Madison, OH; several cousins, nephews, and nieces; numerous trusted friends and colleagues; and countless students whose lives he has touched over the years. He was predeceased by his mother Judith E. Skaltsis of Coventry, RI.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. from the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage Street in Franklin, followed by a funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square, Franklin at 11:00 a.m.
To view the Mass stmarysfranklin.org
Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Colby’s memory to the King Philip Music Association, P.O. Box 508, Wrentham, MA 02093, or to the Boston Higashi School, bostonhigashi.org.