Rodman L. Coleman

ATHOL – Rodman L. Coleman, 88 of 378 Chestnut Hill Ave., Athol passed away on his birthday, Monday, April 18, 2016 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner. Rod was born on April18, 1928 to the late Henry Alson Coleman and Grace E. (Dixon) Coleman. Rod lived in Athol his entire life, moving in with his sister Janet, as a teenager, driving truck for Castine Movers to New York three times a week during the war while the older Castine members were drafted, and helping to keep that family business operating. Rod’s main employment was with the former Union Twist Drill and Niagra Cutter, but he worked many part time jobs to give his family the many things he did not have growing up. Rod was a lover of golf and the Red Sox, and faithfully followed his grandson Chris’ baseball games into the minor league. He was a meat and potatoes man, and appreciated a good barbecue with a cold beer, or a glass of cold duck and a lobster. He loved taking care of his yard and home and always had his trusty Swiss army knife at the ready. He was a loyal friend and family man. Rod would be there at any time of the day or night in an hour of need, or when just looking to get together and shoot the breeze. Above all, he was a deeply devoted husband to his wife Marie, especially in the years before her death, spending hours with her and never leaving her side. Rod, AKA Beebop / Bapa, leaves behind so many family and friends who will love and miss him terribly, including his daughter: Nancy Kingsbury of Orange; six grandchildren: Heather Talledo of Weatogue, CT, Rebecca George and her husband Dane of Wilbraham, Ryan Kingsbury of Webster, Gregory Coleman, Christopher Farley and his wife Denise of Nashua, NH, Justin Coleman and his mother Ilene Rosenberg of Arlington Heights, Ill; former son-in-laws: Kim Farley of Athol, William Kingsbury formerly of FL; grandson-in-law: Art Talledo of Canada; three great grandchildren: Alexander and Kaitlyn Talledo and Kylene George. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years: Marie in 2007; his son Richard in 2011; and his daughter Debora Coleman Farley in 2013. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 10:00 am in Our Lady Immaculate church, 192 School St., Athol. Burial will follow in South Cemetery, Orange. Calling hours will be held Friday, April 22, 2016 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Fiske-Murphy & Mack funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rod’s memory to the Our Lady Immaculate Stained Glass window Restoration Fund, 192 School St., Athol, Ma 01331