Cindy M. Coleman

I started working for Woolworths on Cherokee Street in June of 1976. I was working in the kitchen and Cindy was in charge of the toy department on the lower level of the store.

After being at Woolworth’s for several months I meet Cindy in late October. Just as a typical teenager, I found myself attracted to this older woman and wanted to see if she would go out with me. I finally got up the nerve to ask her out. She said yes, but would be bringing her best friend, Jane, with her (protection, yes I was a bad boy even the early age of 16).

We went to Rich & Charlies in South County then to the movies next to the restaurant. We saw “Young Frankenstein”. After that she felt easier around me and the escort was no longer needed.

 Even though both of our parents felt that this would never last we were comitted and kept seeing each other. On Christmas day 1978 I asked her to marry me and she said yes. We planned a June 1980 wedding.

June 21st came and for the first time in my life I had someone threaten me to within an inch of my life. Grandpa (Cindy’s dad) gave me that long anticipated talk. At that point I realized that he was serious and they would not find my body.

No, seriously They were concerned but had faith in Cindy and knew that even as young as I was I had the character to take care of my committments. 

Things started out fine even with caring for Sandy at first and then later Brad. We were told that having our own kids was not likely. So we committed to buying a small home on Dewey Street and what happened happened. Well as things go Cindy got pregnant with Chandy (yes they are mine, but they are still from Cindy’s first marriage). Then a year later with Chelsy. Well as you could imagine and remember things got real tight around the small house so we tried to sell it. No luck I lost my job and the bank took the house before we could sell.

We moved into a very nice apartment on Dover, where we settled in and 10 months later here comes Carly. So much for the no kids thing.

The best part about moving over on Dover was that the parish priest, Father Boisabin, told us that we had to transfer to St. Cecilia and pull the girls out of St. Stephens. Well if you really know me you know that NOBODY tells me what I have to do.

Kicking and screaming we transfered and was rudely introduce to the system of having to work Bingo. NO WAY, yea that really was not going to happen. We gave in and would only work when we had to, 10 years later I finally quit when we had to close the Bingo.

St Cecilia was the best thing that ever happened to Cindy and I, we met the most wonderful people that would influence our lives and the lives of all three of you girls.

Could you imagine a time without having Jan and Tom Amato, Tom Buncher, Mike and Peg Lowery ( and all those kids ) and not to mention Charlyn and Mick Keane around for every event that you could imagine. I could never explain to anyone enough how much having Mick and Charlyn in our lives has molded who I and your mother became, not only parents but as friends to each other and strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ.

I am going to take a moment and change the subject. I will always miss my best friend, Mick, I loved you for how you showed me that it takes a real man to take care of not only your family but anyone who needed help. I used to think that you where not very smart about who you helped, but later realized that you were a Disciple of God and that you had no choice in the decision. I can only hope that I will become a little bit of the person you were. Now you can look down from Heaven, with Cindy at your side, and guide us in the right direction.