Vernon Ellsworth Coleman

Vernon E. "Vern" Coleman, a radio and television engineer, was a life long resident of Cape Cod. Born in Hyannis, he was the son of noted Cape artist and educator Vernon H. Coleman and Ruby E. Coleman.

A 1944 graduate of Barnstable High School, Mr. Coleman began a career in broadcasting in 1943 while still in High School at Cape Cod’s only radio station at the time, WOCB in West Yarmouth.

During the early 1960’s he was employed as a member of the Department of Geophysics at WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) as a research assistant in electronics experimenting in underwater sound.

Mr. Coleman subsequently became involved in television broadcasting in the Boston area with WGBH-TV, Channel 2, where he worked fourteen years on the production of PBS programs such as The Boston Pops, Evening at Symphony, The French Chef with Julia Child, and numerous remote and studio presentations as audio producer and recordist. In 1976, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for PBS production "New Years’s Eve at Pops’ for the best live sound. He attended these ceremonies in Hollywood. Television work also included eight years as staff engineer at WCVB-TV, Channel 5. During this time in Boston, Mr. Coleman was also in charge of engineering at Northeast Broadcasting School. Upon retirement from Channel 5, he continued working locally as a contract engineer for several Cape radio stations including WQRC, WOCN-FM, WFCC, WKPE, WXTK, and Boston University’s WBUR-AM. As a ten year volunteer he provided audio services for the Cape Cod March of Dimes Teleramas. He was a graduate of the Barnstable Police Academy and until recently he was a civilian volunteer for the Barnstable Police Department.

Pursuing an interest in music, Mr. Coleman constructed a recording studio at home to edit and preserve many of the recordings made during his career.

Hobbies included an interest in photography, and building and flying model airplanes. He was a charter member of Discover Flying Radio Control Club flying out of Marstons Mills Airport. He was a former member of the Osterville Mens Club, and the Media Gang of Boston. His passion for jazz and 50’s and 60’s music filled his life with joy. Vern loved his home, maintaining his beautiful gardens along with Gloria and driving his beloved convertible.

Survivors include his devoted and adoring wife Gloria (Hallett-Tracy) Coleman, son Vernon H. Coleman of Bethel, Vermont; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also, stepsons Mark Tracy and his wife Sherry, and Brian Tracy and his wife JoanMarie. Others include a cousin, three nephews and a niece.

Mr. Coleman was pre-deceased by his first wife Thelma A. (Lovequist) Coleman and their two sons Carl C. Coleman and Lawrence W. Coleman.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 28th at 1:30 P.M. in the Federated Church of Hyannis.

Donations in his memory may be made to VNA Hospice and Palliative Care, 434 Route 134, Suite D-3, South Dennis, MA 02660