Obituary of W. Wayne Colpitts

With heavy hearts the family of William Wayne Colpitts announces his passing on March 23, 2025. Born in Colpitts Settlement, New Brunswick, Wayne was the son of Lawrence and Inez Colpitts and the devoted husband of the late Reta Myrtle (Wasson) Colpitts.

Wayne’s legacy lives on through his children, Kelly [Colpitts] Downe (Sheldon), Shawn Colpitts (Maia), and Chris Colpitts (Carolyn), who will always carry his love and guidance with them. He was a proud grandfather to Ryan (Kayla), Patrick (Jeannine), Olivia, Madison, Kate, Victoria, Cameron, Sterling, and Tatum, and a beloved great-grandfather to Lennon and Ramsey. He is also survived by his sister Nancy Colpitts, sister-in-law Pauline Colpitts, and many nieces and nephews who will remember him fondly.

Wayne was raised on a dairy farm in Colpitts Settlement where hard work was a way of life. Determined to pursue higher education, he put himself through the University of New Brunswick by raising and selling turkeys on his family’s farm. In 1960, he graduated with a degree in civil engineering. During his time at UNB, he met Reta, the woman who would become his wife. They married in 1961 and soon after relocated to Campbellton, where Wayne began his engineering career with CN Rail and they welcomed their first child, Kelly.

A few years later, Wayne accepted a position with the provincial government in Fredericton, where he dedicated many years to his work. As they settled into their home in Fredericton, their family grew with the arrival of their sons, Shawn and Chris. After retiring from the provincial government at 55, Wayne co-founded Colpitts Developments Ltd. with his son Shawn. Together, they built the company into New Brunswick’s largest home builder, developing over 2,500 homes for families in the province.

Wayne approached the building process with an engineer’s mindset – precise, practical, and hands-on. He loved being on-site, studying blueprints, working alongside and coordinating crews, troubleshooting issues, and shaping the work from the ground up. Wayne’s calm, analytical nature made him a skilled problem-solver and an even better negotiator, able to navigate complex logistics and site demands with the focus and foresight of a seasoned engineer. In short, Wayne turned challenges into progress and ideas into homes.

A man of sharp intellect and quiet determination, Wayne had an undeniable passion for anything with an engine. He was a devoted NASCAR fan and could often be found surrounded by cars, trucks, and heavy machinery, whether fixing, admiring, or talking about them. Wayne was most at ease when he had a project to tinker on and grease on his hands.

Outside of work Wayne was dedicated to his community. He served as board member and president of the Kinsmen Club, a national service organization supporting local charities, and was also a board member of the Fredericton Youth Hockey Association, where he coached both of his sons for several years. Above all, he loved time with family, especially summers at Grand Lake watching his grandchildren play. His steady presence, dry wit, and unwavering support will be deeply missed.

The family is deeply grateful to Wayne’s team of caregivers, led by Lisa Arbeau, whose kindness and dedication brought him comfort and laughter. Their support meant the world to both Wayne and his family. A heartfelt thank you as well to Dr. Barton for his exceptional compassion and care.

A visitation will take place at McAdam’s Funeral Home on Sunday, April 13 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The memorial service will take place at the J.A. McAdam Memorial Chapel on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:00 pm followed by a reception. For those who wish, donations in Wayne’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick or the SPCA.