C.O. brewing community mourns loss of close friend, colleague

The Central Oregon brewing community is mourning the loss of a long-time co-worker and friend.

Colby Nightingale worked at the Deschutes Brewery for 14 years. His friends there tell NewsChannel 21 that Colby was an amazing father, husband and mountain biker.

About a month ago, Nightingale was diagnosed with incurable Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Colby Nightingale passed away on Thursday. He was 48 years old.

Just last week, hundreds of people and more than 15 breweries came together to raise money to go toward his medical expenses.

Nightingale’s friends and family said they are incredibly thankful for the community’s overwhelming help and support.

One of his closest friends and co-workers, Brett Counsellor, said Monday that support is a reflection of the legacy he’s leaving behind.

“This outpouring that has come from his good nature and what a good person he was and what an awesome awesome family he had, they are lessons to live by.” Counsellor said.

“These times of tragedy bring out who you were as a person,” he said, adding that Colby “was just a damn good person, and everybody knew it.”

Nightingale is survived by his wife and two daughters, along with the hundreds of people whose lives he touched while he was still here.