Gerald T. Coleman

died, Saturday, November 6, 1999, at his home in Westlake after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments. Reverend Mr. Coleman had cancer.

Gerald T. Coleman was born on October 28, 1913 in Brooklyn, New York to Thomas J. and Anne E. Coleman. Gerald graduated from St. Michael High School in Brooklyn in 1931. He began working for New York Life Insurance Company in 1931 and continued employment there until his retirement in 11975 as Assistant Manager of the Cleveland Office. He was a retired Captain in the United States Army, serving from 1933-1956. He was also a member of the North Olmstead V.F.W. and Post Commander in 1971.

Deacon Coleman had been a Boy Scout leader for over sixty years. He was instrumental in helping to form the first Explorer Post in the United States in New York City in the early 1930s. He also was a recipient of the St. George and Silver Beaver Boy Scout Awards.

Gerald married Anna Mae Keenan on February 9, 1943. Their marriage brought to them one son, Jim, of Marblehead, Ohio and two grandsons, Patrick of Columbus, Ohio and Thomas of North Olmstead, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Mae in 1990 and by a daughter, Sue Ann, in 1960.

Gerald was ordained to the Diaconate on January 9, 1977 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland, Ohio, by the Most reverend James A. Hickey. Following his ordination, he was assigned as Associate Diocesan Chaplain for Boy Scouts. He continued in this ministerial assignment until 1982 when he was assigned as Pastoral Associate in the Pastoral Care Department of Saint John and West Shore Hospital where he ministered until 1985. He continued in ministry assisting at St. Richard Parish and St. Brendan Parish in North Olmstead until his retirement as a deacon in 1992.