Thomas Jack Colella

Thomas "Jack" Colella September 7, 1946 – September 21, 2020 Thomas Colella, 74, of Stratford, New York passed away on September 21, 2020 in Cooperstown, New York after experiencing sudden complications from chronic heart failure. Throughout his wide circle of friends, family and students, he was fondly known as Jack—and will forever be remembered as a passionate father, husband, brother, friend, and coach to all that knew and loved him. Renaissance Man Jack was born on September 7, 1946 in Ilion, New York and grew up in nearby Mohawk, where he was a respected athlete and helped Mohawk High School win several championship games in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating in 1964, he went on to play football in college at Ottawa University in Kansas and, little known fact, he also played tight end for the Utica-Rome Chiefs semi-pro football team in the late 60s. Jack then moved to Dallas, Texas where he met and married Pamela Atkins and together they had two daughters, Jennifer & Jayne. Jack completed his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Master of Education from the University of North Texas and worked as a history teacher and revered football, basketball, and baseball coach throughout schools in the Dallas Independent School District before retiring in the late 90s. Always the athlete, Jack organized several sports teams for his church and the City of Dallas and won countless trophies competing in basketball and softball. He is also remembered as a dutiful coach to his daughters in several sports—helping them secure umpteen championships, state titles, and state records in swimming, baseball, gymnastics, and track. After the marriage between Jack and Pam ended, he met and married Andrea "Angie" Henson in 2006. Together they built a log cabin in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York – not far from his childhood home. The couple moved to their current home in Stratford, New York in 2007. "If There Was Anyone Who Enjoyed Life, It Was Jack." Jack was a guitar player (and 70s/80s music aficionado). His favorite songs to sing, you ask? "Born to be Wild," "Sister Golden Hair" and "To Love Somebody" among others. (He was also notorious for playing "Eye of the Tiger" repeatedly before his daughters' games/meets to motivate them.) Jack never turned down a fun night of karaoke and always enjoyed entertaining his "fans". Jack was a stealthy pool shark and won many trophies in billiard competitions. One of his favorite pastimes was going to the State Fair of Texas during TX/OU weekend to cheer on the OU Sooners. His Italian heritage influenced his love of pasta and good vino, but his favorite beverage always was (and always will be) Coors Light. Every summer, you could find him soaking up sun by the pool with a cold Silver Bullet in hand, as music played endlessly in the background. Childhood friends remember him as "perpetually happy," "smiling, cracking jokes, and winning a large number of games for Mohawk High School." His daughters will always reminisce of their dad as a loving, passionate father who instilled determination and perseverance in their athletic endeavors and day-to-day lives. Jack loved the Lord and studied the Bible every day. He was passionate about teaching others of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the hope of bringing others to know and love Christ. Jack is survived by his wife Andrea "Angie" Colella of Houston, TX, daughter Jennifer Rogers (Phillip), daughter Jayne Halcomb (Brendan), brother David Colella (Karen), brother Gary Colella, plus his loving grandchildren Jaycie & Colt Rogers and Maverick Halcomb, nephews David, Gary, and Matt Colella and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas "PomPom" & Arietta "Grandma" Colella. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24th, 2020 at Compass Church in Colleyville, Texas. A memorial service will be held immediately following visitation in the worship center at Compass Church. A Celebration of Life party will be held at his daughter Jennifer's house in Grapevine, TX immediately following the service.