Tom COLEMAN

On January 20, 2015, Tom was reunited with his loving wife Rita. It was a very special reunion as it was Rita's birthday. Tom was born to Gordon and Cecelia Coleman in Englefeld, Saskatchewan on February 10, 1927. He left home to attend Teachers College in 1944. With 6 weeks training and 17 years life experience to his credit, he found himself a teacher in Newdale school located near Rose Valley. His means of transportation was a bicycle. He used to ride it home to Englefeld on weekends when he wasn't playing in his band, the Merry Makers. He taught in Barrier Lake, Park Villa, and Wimmer, ending his career in Quill Lake. He married Rita, the love of his life, on December 31, 1949. In 1958 Tom received his Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Tom and Rita then moved their family to Quill Lake where Tom taught for 22 years. He retired in 1980, serving the last 18 years as principal of Quill Lake High School. Teaching was Tom's life. Whether it was teaching his students math or phys ed, coaching the boys a breakout play in hockey or how to lay down the perfect bunt in ball. He taught his children how to dance and the words to all the golden oldies as they sang around the campfire. Most of all, Tom taught his children about respect, honesty, fairness, and gratitude. He was recognized and received many awards for his volunteerism, coaching and commitment to his community, including; The Sportsman of the Year, in 1972, which was most meaningful as he was nominated by his students, which was presented on his 80th birthday. His most recent honour, The Hockey Canada Order of Merit. Tom is predeceased by his loving wife Rita, his mother Cecelia, father Gordon, sister Margaret, brother Ted, father and mother-in-law Waldor and Delima Hoscheit, and brother-in-law Clarence Hoscheit. Left to treasure his memory are his eight children and their families: Tom (Tracy), children Lisa, Julie (James), and Justin; Donna (Cliff) Trombley, children Tyler (Michelle), Briana (Marc); Bob (Rhonda Stuckey), children Shilo (Eric), Brett (Casey); Rocky (Denise), children Stefen (Heather), Jill (Jerry); Cory (Cathi Wilson), children Jaelyn (Rob), Tanya (Chad), Todd (Kaly); Colleen (Jim) Toye, children Johana (Troy), Dayna (Buffy), Kamiko (Kaleb); Lori (Steve Wendt), children Jarret, Ivana; and Holly (Murray) Hobbs, children Jesse, Cody; numerous great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law; Anita (John) Hounjet, and Marj Hoscheit, and many nieces and nephews. Tom was affectionately known as Charlie, a courageous man of immense character with a heart of gold. Prayers Friday, February 6, 2015, 7:00 p.m. at St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Church, Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. Funeral Mass Saturday, February 7, 2015, 11:00 a.m. at Quill Lake Community Legion Hall, Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. In Lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations in memory of Tom may be made to a charity of your choice. Some of his favorite charities include; The Terry Fox Foundation, Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation, KidSport (giving all children a chance to play), or the Quill Lake cemetery fund.