Paul McClain Coleman's Obituary
Death can come gently to take away loved ones, as is often the case with the passing of an elderly person; or it comes tragically with an accident or illness involving a young life, as is the case of our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Paul McClain Coleman. Born on November 23, 1984 to Dr. David Eugene Coleman and Sally Ann Coleman. After a long battle with cancer, Paul entered Hospice care in his childhood home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he and his seven siblings grew up. What started as an Easter trip to Oshkosh, transitioned into his final stay. Paul, Liz and Ingrid left Buffalo, New York not knowing that would be the last time the three of them would ever be together again in their cozy little home. Over the past two months, Paul enjoyed many of his “lasts”, with all of his siblings coming to visit at various times throughout his final days. Paul took his last breath at 3:43 am on Saturday, May 26, 2018.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Paul on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11 o’clock in the morning at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, formerly known as St. Peter's Catholic Church at 435 High Avenue Oshkosh, Wisconsin. A visitation will be held prior to the Mass, starting at 10 o’clock in the morning. Father Jerome Pastors and Father Dave Duffeck will be co-celebrating the Mass. A time of visitation will be held at Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home located at 865 S. Westhaven Drive Oshkosh, Wisconsin on Friday, June 1, 2018 from 6 o’clock in the evening until 7:30, with a Rosary to follow.
Paul, third born, came into the world with all smiles and curls. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Josephine and Bud McClain, and his paternal grandfather Robert Coleman, and survived by grandmother Earlene Golden. Survived by wife, Liz (Hall) Coleman and daughter, Ingrid Philomena Coleman. Survived by parents, David Eugene Coleman and Sally (McClain) Coleman, and siblings Jennifer (Brian) Kelly, Joseph (Adriana), John (Molly), Mary, Anne, David, and Catherine. Many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles also loved and shared in the life of our dear Paul.
Paul had a pretty “normal” upbringing, if that’s even a thing. Besides all the traditional sports, he really took a liking to sailing and soccer. He picked up rugby in high school, and that became his favorite sport that he’d go on and play in college. For primary schooling, he and all of his siblings went to Sacred Heart. His first three years of high school, he boarded at St. Gregory’s Academy in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and finished his last year at Oshkosh West. For college, he attended Franciscan University where he studied history. It was there he discovered his loves for plaids, tye-dies, and beer, and last but certainly not least, Lizzy Hall, his future wife.
Our dear Paul was one in a million, the kind of brother that wouldn’t argue with his sisters, because he was a gentleman. He was the son that gave his parents the love and respect that they deserved. He was the husband and father who always put the needs of his family before his own. His strength of character was his patience for others and calm personality, which in a Scottish-Irish family is very atypical. He loved all things outdoors: camping, boating, hiking, canoeing and the like. Though he was more of a burly lumberjack in stature, he was a lover not a fighter, which couldn’t more accurately be expressed by any one other than his favorite musician, the late Bob Marley.
Paul was a simple man with modest gifts, yet an outstanding work ethic. Never one to complain, though his journey had been anything but easy, even amidst the face of death. He countlessly expressed his love and gratitude right up until his last days. Despite the shortness of his years, he lived his life as though he had lived a long life. He will always be kept in a special place in all our hearts.
Memorial Donations may be made to:
Liz Coleman
131 Brinton Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
David and Sally Coleman
2919 Prairie Wood Drive
Oshkosh, WI 54904
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