Jean-Marie Colombard

Jean-Marie Colombard
June 15, 1944 – July 27, 2025

Jean-Marie Colombard passed away suddenly on July 27, 2025, at 2:40 PM, with his loving family by his side. He was 81 years old.

Born in Paris, France, on June 15, 1944, Jean-Marie was the cherished son of Simone Prout and André Colombard. He was a man of great integrity, known for his quiet strength, compassion, and devotion to family.

Jean-Marie spent his early years between France and the United States. He lived in New York City and attended the United Nations French-English School, where his mother taught. He was fortunate to travel often between the two continents, spending summers in France and the school year in New York, experiences that deeply shaped his outlook on life.

Jean-Marie attended a prestigious culinary university in France, where he graduated with a degree in restaurant and hotel management, an achievement that reflected his lifelong appreciation for food, hospitality, and the art of living well. As a French chef, he took great pride in his craft.  He formed lifelong, meaningful friendships with his classmates and took great joy in reconnecting with them at reunions over the years.

He later moved to San Francisco, where he met the love of his life, Alicia (Rhina) Colombard. Together, they worked in the restaurant business, built their life, shared many celebrations, and lived life to the fullest. Their partnership spanned more than five decades of love and companionship. They lived a beautiful life.

Jean-Marie is survived by his three sons, David, Scott, and Mark, his beloved niece Olivia, ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his sister-in-law Carmen Bulnes. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Alicia (Rhina) and his brother, Mark Olivier Prout.

Jean-Marie found great joy in boating, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He loved good food, good wine, a strong Negroni, a good Netflix binge, and cheering passionately for his favorite sports teams.  Jean-Marie also had a remarkable talent for navigating the water; he could handle a large yacht as effortlessly as if it were a skiff. He especially loved spending summers in the Delta, surrounded by family and friends, where days were filled with laughter, sunshine, and just the right amount of mischief and Becks.

He lived a life rich with purpose, humility, integrity, and love, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A memorial service will be held at Monte's Chapel of the Hills in San Anselmo, California, at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, August 5. This is a date of special significance, marking the anniversary of Jean-Marie’s beloved wife's passing.  Jean-Marie will be laid to rest alongside Alicia at Woodlawn Cemetery, reuniting them in eternal peace. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) in Jean-Marie's honor, a cause close to his heart.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor Jean-Marie’s memory in the way he would have loved, with shared stories, good food, and a raised glass or two.  We look forward to gathering with friends and family to celebrate a life well lived.  Details will be shared once plans are finalized.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean-Marie Colombard, please visit our floral store.