John Coleman Obituary

Coleman, John Patrick Died peacefully at home on December 29, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 81. John had lived with Parkinson's for the last several years and showed courage, humor and sometimes frustration battling this debilitating disease. John Coleman is survived by his wife, Mary W. Coleman (nee O'Brien); children, Patrick and his wife Colleen, Julia widow of his son John, Kevin and his wife Nora, Brian and his wife Heather, Kathleen and her husband Kevin McCarthy. He is also survived by his sister, Francis Crowe. He was preceded in death by his father, Patrick; mother, Anne; sisters, Patricia and Mary; and son, John. He was born on June 23, 1937, at home in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, to Patrick and Anne Coleman. Both his parents grew up in Ireland. His father was a police officer with the Chicago Police Department and his mother was a phone operator with Illinois Bell. He went to St. Timothy Parish in Chicago for grammar school and then to Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee for high school. He received his undergraduate degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he met the love of his life Mary O'Brien, later Mary Coleman, who graduated from Mount St. Mary's College in Wisconsin. They were married on August 19th, 1961. He had continued to remain deeply in love with his bride for more than 57 years. John later graduated from DePaul University with a law degree and from John Marshall Law School with a Master of Law Degree. For the next 40 plus years, he was active as a practicing attorney, beginning his career with Northern Trust before opening his own practice. He loved the practice of law and was an active member of the Chicago Bar Association, where he spent more than 25 years dancing as part of their male dance ensemble during their annual Christmas Show. John and Mary welcomed five children into their home, Patrick, John, Kevin, Brian and Kathleen. They later became the loving grandparents of twelve: Bailey, Daniel, Emma, Grace, Georgia, Claire, Delaney, Mackenzie, Quinn, John, Connor and Courtney. John was a lifelong Chicagoan and an active Catholic. He loved visiting the varied neighborhoods and churches throughout Chicago. He travelled the world by travelling our neighborhoods. He was also an active volunteer for many years at Maryville Academy for Youth with Fr. John Smyth. John and his wife Mary lived in Edgebrook for more than 50 years and were active parishioners at St. Mary of the Woods. Funeral Services will begin 9:30 a.m., Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Avenue, Chicago to St. Mary of the Woods Parish, 7033 N. Moselle, Chicago, for a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maryville Academy. Visitation 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2019, at the funeral home. The family would like to thank, in particular, Rainbow Hospice, Mickie Ahmed, and Avelino "Bill" Cabaneros for their caregiving and support over these last several months. Info 773-736-8388 or visit John's memorial at www.smithcorcoran.com.