Pariss Michael Coleman

Pariss M. Coleman, May 17, 1946 - August 2, 2021 Longtime Toledo Public School Principal and children's advocate. Pariss Michael ("Mike") Coleman, 75 years old, died on August 2, 2021, at the University of Toledo Medical Center. He died of complications associated with lung disease. Mike arrived in Toledo at the age of 22 as a recent graduate of Marshall University. He was lured to Toledo by Toledo Public Schools to teach children and earn a steady income. Mike had invitations to pursue professional football with the Miami Dolphins and Washington Football Team, however, the need to provide for his family - Mother, brother, and sister - at a young age brought him to Toledo. He began working as a physical education teacher at Jesup W. Scott High School where he also coached football and track. As he developed teaching skills and displayed a knack for administration, he became a dean of men and, later, an assistant principal at Scott. He earned a Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Toledo in 1974. Throughout the 1970s, Mike also worked at the Children Studies Institute. After working at Scott for 20 years, in 1988 he became the principal of Old West End Junior High School where he presided until his retirement in 1998 with 30 years of service to TPS. Continuing his passion for children, he substituted as an administrator for TPS and was often asked to mentor new administrators. A parishioner at Rosary Cathedral Parish since 1977, in 2010, Rosary Cathedral Elementary School asked him to serve as its principal for one year. Because Mike's rich administration experience had been in the Old West End neighborhood, he was a natural fit at the school, often times greeting his former students as the parents of enrolled children. After working at Rosary Cathedral, Mike returned to serving as a substitute administrator for TPS. With his daughter Christine Coleman serving as a vice principal at Beverly Elementary School, Mike volunteered as a cafeteria attendant. Known as "Papa Coleman" by teachers and students alike, he did his very best to put a smile on every child's face and, more often than not, sweet treats in their mouths. Before going to Beverly every day, he made sure he had enough small bills to provide for students who just might need a little something. He was recognized by TPS as Volunteer of the Year in 2016. He continued volunteering at Beverly until 2020. Mike was known for his discipline, fairness, and robust sense of humor. He carried the utmost respect from his peers, but more importantly, carried the lifelong respect of his students. Even while hospitalized at UTMC, former students made it a point to visit. Born to William and Frances Coleman in the coal mining town of Winona, West Virginia, Mike attended Nuttal High School where he displayed athletic talent and was particularly gifted with a football in his hands. High school success as a running back and wide receiver earned him a football scholarship to Marshall University where he played for Coach Charlie Snyder. Based on his extraordinary speed and diminutive size, he earned the nickname "Flea." Due to spirited challenges from teammates, Mike joined the track team at Marshall where he was formidable in the sprints. Mike also pledged the fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. at Marshall and remained active in the Toledo alumni chapter. After living in Toledo for a year in the late 1960s, a mutual friend introduced Mike to Linda Recker. They did not know then that a simple introduction would lead to almost 52 years of marriage. Against the backdrop of the Robert Frost poem "The Road Not Taken," after a year of courtship, they wed and began a family with two children, Pariss ("Mike") and Christine. His children followed in his footsteps with Christine serving as a grade school administrator and Mike playing football at Miami University. Identified by their obvious love for one another, Mike and Linda served as Pre-Cana marriage counselors at Rosary Cathedral. Mike also served as an usher there for over 40 years. Once he retired from TPS, Mike found his voice in the Clarence Smith Community Chorus. Much to his family's surprise, he could sing! Mike enjoyed the discipline, camaraderie, and performances of the choir. Also early in his retirement, Mike received the ultimate gift in his granddaughter, Kennedy. Kennedy and "Papa" were attached at the hip from the beginning, with him as her biggest supporter and cheerleader and she as his. The Coleman family extends tremendous debts of gratitude to the many physicians, nurses, therapists, and other staff at UTMC who cared for him. The family would like to offer special thanks and gratitude to Dr. Dolsey, Dr. Hamouda, Dr. Machanda, Dr. Rashid, and Joe Huss. Surviving Mike are his wife, Linda Coleman; children, Pariss "Mike" Coleman II (Traci) and Christine Coleman; granddaughter, Kennedy Coleman; sister Beulah Nickerson (Arthur); and Godmother, Connie Huss-Boyle. Mike was preceded in death by parents William and Frances Coleman, and brother Roger Coleman. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make donations to any of the following: Rosary Cathedral Church; Clarence Smith Community Chorus; or St. Ursula Toledo LABRE Program. Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 10, at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Road, Toledo, OH 43614, from 3:00-7:30 p.m. with the Kappa Alpha Psi Omega ceremony beginning at 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday, August 11, visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood, Toledo, OH 43610. A Funeral Mass will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be private. Please view and sign the online guest registry at www.coylefuneralhome.com