Born Oct. 30, 1926, to Frederick Barr Coleman and Marion Gertrude Cummings, he was raised by his grandparents William and Clara Cummings and his great-aunts in Glendale. Don was married to Vicki Kulas Coleman for 65 years before she passed in 2012. Don passed peacefully June 3, 2018, at Fairview Commons.
Don joined the navy when he was just 17 years old and served on the USS Scott, a destroyer escort, in the North Atlantic. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Area Ribbon and the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Ribbon.
Pop enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, raising beagles and traveling the U.S. with Mom. He worked at Kimberley Clark Paper Company in Lee, was a volunteer fireman in Glendale and an auxiliary policeman in Stockbridge. After retirement, he worked for the town of Stockbridge and was “captain” of the weed harvester on Stockbridge Bowl for years. He felt that he could fix anything and it usually involved a larger nail or a piece of wire — scared the heck out of us at times!
Don is survived by three children: Frederick Barr Coleman and wife Deborah, Donald William Coleman and wife Gabrielle, and daughter Sara Coleman Dennard. He leaves five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many friends.
To honor his wishes, there will not be a wake or funeral service. Don and Vicki’s ashes will be buried together in a private family service. Those we love do not go away. They may not be seen or heard all the time, but they are always there. A celebration of life will be announced later for those who wish to pay their respects. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Berkshire Humane Society, c/o BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Condolences can be sent to the family through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
