Thursday, June 2, 2022
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John Coletta was one of my favorite people.
I remember sitting with him at the after-party for Kristen and Marshall’s wedding. We were still riding the high from the excitement of that day, and Mr. C. asked me about my own relationship with my now-fiance. I told him how in love we were, and I remember Mr. C just beaming and expressing how thrilled he was that I had found that kind of love. And he wasn’t just saying it. I could see it in his smile and the twinkle in his eye that my joy was his joy. What purer expression of love is there than to truly share someone else’s happiness?
That’s who Mr. Coletta was.
He was someone who made the people around him feel like the most special and loved people in the world. There was no one else like him, and I will miss him intensely.
What gives me comfort is that I have a lifetime of memories of Mr. Coletta, and they all make me smile.
Growing up with Kristen, I was at the Colettas house constantly. I did my homework there after school, stayed for many dinners and attended countless sleepovers, in addition to many trips to the Warrenbrook pool. Mr. Coletta never made me feel like I was overstaying my welcome. Instead, “Papa John” became like a second father to me.
In more recent years, I always looked forward to seeing Mr. Coletta at family BBQs or dinners and getting to greet him with a big hug. He was the life of every party, able to make fast friends and easy conversation with anyone. I loved being in his company.
Mr. Coletta was also a dear friend to my parents, especially my mom who enjoyed many laughter-filled nights with the Colettas fueled by entire gallons of Paisano wine. Family dinners with the Coletta’s were always entertaining, even the time Mr. C. undercooked the chicken or the time he made the brave decision to serve us beer cheese soup. We never let him forget it.
As a married couple, Muriel and John Coletta seemed to function as one unit – one yin and one yang, and put together, they created the perfect balance. I always admired the mutual respect and sense of humor they had in their relationship, always poking fun at each other, and how they did everything together, including grocery shopping to contribute to their endless supply of canned goods.
Most importantly, Mr. Coletta was an incredible father to Kristen. He was always supportive and encouraging but he could also be tough and challenged her. He was so proud of the beautiful, thriving woman – and mother – she is today, as we all are. And it’s an incredible blessing that he was able to meet his two grandchildren.
As I process the news of his sudden passing, I feel deep sadness for this loss but also intense gratitude that Mr. Coletta was a part of my life. We are all better people for having known and loved him.
