Columbus Sprueill

Columbus Sprueill, 87, transitioned peacefully surrounded by his family at Glen Hill Rehabilitation Center on Saturday December 23, 2023, after a hard fought and courageous three-year battle with a rare heart disorder. 

Columbus was born on August 24, 1936, in Oak City, NC to Will and Mahalia (Davis) Sprueill. He was educated in the North Carolina School System before relocating to Virginia with his brother Daniel, and then to Danbury where he resided for 65 years. 

In 1963 he met and married the love of his life Edna (Rawlings) Sprueill. Together they made a family and remained devoted to each other until her passing in December 2015. 

Columbus was employed by Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill for many years until the company relocated out of state. He was then employed by the Town of Brookfield as a custodian at Brookfield High School until his retirement in 2002.  

Columbus was known for his quick wit and outrageous stories that would leave you laughing and crying tears of joy. He never met a stranger, making friends wherever he went: grocery stores, gas stations, and even a simple walk to the mailbox. We jokingly called him “The Mayor of Stop & Shop” because he smiled, waved, and greeted employees as he walked through the store. 

Columbus was a grill master. He loved hosting barbecues and cooking up ribs and chicken that made your mouth water and your belly full. He loved fishing and catching porgies to fry for dinner. 

Columbus was an avid hat collector and a sharp dresser. He loved his old school Stetsons, Apple Jack hats, Dobbs, Kangol, fedoras, and fitted Yankees baseball caps. He never left home without a hat on his head, a button-down shirt, neatly pressed trousers, and a freshly shaved face. 

To cherish his memory, Columbus leaves behind four daughters: Cynthia (Greg) Little, Monica Sprueill-Charles, Myra Sprueill (Gerald Langley), and Sheila Sprueill, all of Danbury. Two grandsons who were the light of his life: Darrion Sprueill of Washington D.C and Ja’Shon Little of Danbury. One sister, Eva Clemons of North Carolina; sisters and brothers in law, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who were family. 

In addition to his parents and wife, Columbus was preceded in death by five brothers Herman, Daniel, William, James, and George and two sisters Addie and Dorothy. 

In honor of Columbus’s memory, advocate and stand up for those who cannot do so for themselves, buy a coffee for the person in line behind you, play a lucky number, dance when you hear music, tell a joke to make someone laugh, lend a hand or a kind word to someone who is struggling, show others grace, and above all, greet a stranger with a smile. 

The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Carol Gemayel and the staff at Cardiology Associates of Danbury and Dr. Kevin Clerkin, New York-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center, whose knowledge, compassion, and kindness guided us through the last three years, allowing our father to maintain a respectable and dignified quality of life. 

To the RNs and CNAs at Glen Hill, you all are the real MVPs. Each of you who encountered and regularly cared for our father, are amazing! Thank you for showing us that there truly is so much kindness in the world, we just had to open our eyes and hearts to see it. A special heartfelt thank you to Elsa and Fred for being by his side during his transition and final moments. We will be forever grateful to you. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Amyloidosis Foundation. https://www.amyloidosis.org/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Columbus Sprueill, please visit our floral store.