Alan Blair Colsey, Retired Police Chief

From the Joseph W. Sorce Funeral Home

Alan Blair Colsey “Chief” earned his wings on 14 July 2021. He was born in Nyack on 12 March 1952 to the late Lloyd Corwin Colsey and JoAn Claypoole Colsey. Alan loved Nyack and its history where his family’s roots pre-date the Civil War.

He graduated Nyack High School '70 as Class President and Haverford College '74. In 1973, he joined the South Nyack-Grand View Police Department where he served as Police Chief from 1980 until his retirement in 2004.

His heroism on October 20, 1981 during the Brinks robbery is one of the many things he will be remembered for. Alan earned Master degrees from Iona ‘94 and St. Thomas Aquinas College ‘04 where he later served as adjunct professor and Director of the MBA Program. Alan was a 50 year member of Mazeppa Engine Co. No. 2 where he served as President and proud driver of the Old Gray Mare. During his career, he also served as President of Mid-Hudson Association Police Chiefs, Police Chiefs Association of Rockland, Rotary Club of Nyack and O’Grady-Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund. He helped Rockland law enforcement computerize police records, get mobile data terminals in patrol cars and establish a radio system for first responders and remained a special advisor on public safety technology to the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department. He was a Coast Guard Auxiliary Telecommunications Operator and active Alumni Representative for Haverford College.

Alan loved being surrounded by his family and friends. He was a man of integrity, faith, community and loyalty. He was a historian with many interests including photography, music, lacrosse which he played in both high school and college, Bethany Beach, Nascar and cooking. He was invited (and thrilled) to write an article for the Culinary Institute’s publication after taking several classes there. He found an extended family in our Masthope Community and looked forward to their weekly meetings. Alan was always known for his humor and witty one-liners. In years past he joked that his tombstone should read “I always burned the candle at both ends and ran out of wax”.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia “Ginny”, children: Blair (Nadia), Ben (Liz), Allison Travers (Cameron), and his “other son” Michael Sansone. Grandchildren: Mason, Mayah, Grace, and Emily. Also survived by his brother Lloyd “Bud” (Jean), sister-in-law, Laurie Cumming (Jeff), and nieces: Shannon, Julie, Kim, Jackie and Lauren.

Joseph W. Sorce Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Send memorial donations to the O’Grady-Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1024, Nyack NY 10960.