Former SSI Writer Allan Colombo Dies at 71
His work as a trade journalist included serving as a technical editor with SSI from 2004 to 2006, then as a regular contributing freelance writer in subsequent years.
Allan Colombo, 1950-2021
CANTON, Ohio — Allan “Al” Colombo, who served as a security and fire/life-safety technician for more than 45 years and an industry trade journalist for more than three decades, has died. He was 71.
He died Dec. 3 at the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center following a brief illness, according to cantonrep.com.
Colombo’s professional career included work as a low-voltage installer, salesman, service tech, project manager and an operations manager.
Colombo contributed to multiple security and locksmith magazines. His work as a trade journalist included serving as a technical editor with SSI from 2004 to 2006, then as a regular columnist and contributing freelance writer in subsequent years. Colombo reported feature articles for SSI and formerly penned the magazine’s “Fireside Chat” column.
“It was with great sadness that I learned of Al’s passing,” says SSI Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher Scott Goldfine. “He was already established as one of the industry’s leading technical writers when I joined the industry in 1998, and so we felt like it was a coup to add him to SSI’s staff in the early 2000s. Al was a unique, opinionated character and we had some enjoyable times working together. We remained in touch through the latter part of this year, and he will be missed.”
His obituary on cantonrep.com includes the following details:
Born July 2, 1950, in Canton, Ohio, to the late Howard “Red” and Nova (Adkins) Colombo. He was a lifetime resident of Canton and a 1969 graduate of Canton South High School. He was a member and past president of the Canton South Rotary. He had also been a member of the East Canton Rotary and had attained the recognition of a Paul Harris Fellow.
He was preceded in death by a son, Matthew Colombo. He is survived by his wife of nine years, Linda (Momirov) Colombo; two daughters, Susan Ball and Alicia Colombo; three stepchildren, David Kramer, Gary (Mandy) Noland, Melissa (Jeff) Gedhill; 12 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; mother-in-law, Sally Momirov.
Funeral services were held Dec. 8 at the Kreighbaum-Sanders Funeral Home in Canton. Memorial donations may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses by calling (330) 484-2525.
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