Patrick Joseph Coletta

1926 - 2017

COLETTA

PATRICK JOSEPH  born November 12, 1926, passed away peacefully in Naples, Florida on March 13, 2017. He was born in East Whiteland Township (Malvern) in Chester County, Pennsylvania. His parents, Michael and Ernestina Coletta, immigrated to the United States from Roccamonfina, Italy. Pat attended Malvern Preparatory School, and had begun his studies at Villanova University when he was called to service in the Army near the close of World War II. After serving in the Philippines, he returned home and completed his education at Villanova on the GI Bill. He met his future wife, Ruth, at an American Legion dance. After graduation, he started working for General Motors at their assembly plant in Wilmington, Delaware, a job he only intended to keep until he found other employment. At GM, he was offered a Sloane Fellowship to MIT, where he received his MBA. In 1982, he was awarded an honorary PhD from Villanova, a Doctor of Commercial Science. He worked at GM for 41 years, with assignments in various assembly plants around the United States, and finally in Detroit, where he served as a Vice President in several roles in manufacturing. He and his wife Ruth began spending time in Naples, Florida in the 1980's. After his retirement in 1990, they split their time between Naples and Rochester, Michigan, and traveled extensively. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 65 years, Ruth Ann Coletta (Moore), a sister Edith Tulumello of North East, MD, and brother Vincent Coletta of La Jolla, CA. Pat's four sons: Michael Coletta and wife Faye of Bloomfield Hills, MI, their daughter Sarah and fiancé Ryan, son Patrick and wife Lisa; his son Stephen Coletta and wife Betsy of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, their son Kevin and partner Jen; his son John Coletta of Harrison Township, MI, preceded in death by John's son Tony; his son Anthony Coletta and wife Lisa of Kennett Square, PA and their four children Elise, Natalie, Alexander, and Kyle. A memorial service will be held in Naples, FL , on Saturday, April 22, 2:00 PM, at Fuller Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either the Glenview Scholarship Fund (100 Glenview Drive, Naples, FL, 34108) or Avow Hospice (1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL, 34109).