- Date Of Birth: December 10, 1941
- Date Of Death: April 7, 2011
- State: Connecticut
NAPLES, FL – David J. Coleman, Ph.D, 69 of Naples, FL and Waterbury, CT died suddenly on Friday, April 8th in Naples, FL. He was the husband of Barbara (Lange) Coleman.
Dr. Coleman was born in Waterbury on December 10, 1941, son of the late James C. and Rita (Dougherty) Coleman, who were also educators. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart School from kindergarten through 12th grade.
David received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from St. Francis College in Biddeford, Maine. By 1982 he received his Masters in Education, 6th Year in Advanced Graduate Studies, and his Administration Certificate from the University of Bridgeport. His proudest achievement was to receive his Ph.D. degree from the University of Hull in England in 1992.
David started his career teaching in Shelton, CT, and came home to Waterbury to teach economics when JFK High opened its doors for the very first time. He was proud to have Room 109, the number chosen for John Kennedy’s PT109 boat. (Notice sometime that the numbers of the rooms are out of order in that hall.) He also had his bulletin boards painted lavender! He was fortunate to be able to work along side his father, head of the Guidance Dept., for a short time before his father retired.
David loved being an Economics and Social Studies teacher, and he held his beloved students in the highest regard. He was a teacher and Vice Principal in both John F. Kennedy and Wilby High Schools. When he returned to JFK High to end his long career as Vice Principal, he was the most happy, because he felt he had “returned home” again.
It was Dave’s goal in life to help as many people as he could. He was proud that his position afforded him the opportunity to help as many students and teachers as possible. Every student and teacher alike would attest that they could rely upon Doc Coleman to lend a helping hand and give advice.
Besides his wife, David leaves two sons, David J. Coleman and his wife Laura Harrison Coleman of Ocean City MD; Patrick C. Coleman of Waterbury; a brother Monsignor James G. Coleman of Waterbury; and one grandchild, Jacob James Coleman, 2 months old, of Ocean City, MD.
