Peter Coll

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our father, Peter Coll, on January 4, 2024, age 92. Born July 1, 1931, Pete was a first generation American and eldest child of Patrick Coll (Ireland) and Hannah McGarvie (Scotland). A proud native of Brooklyn, NY Pete moved to Detroit at age 10 with his mom and sisters, Patricia and Anne, after the untimely death of his father. (Brooklyn always remained close to his heart, whether it be in the occasional lapse in accent, his loathing of the NY Yankees or how he loved his Chock Full of Nuts coffee.) In Detroit they were welcomed into the Bill Mason family home on Fairview Avenue. Annie Mason eventually became guardian of Pete and his sisters due to the death of his mother after a long illness. Pete learned early lessons in generosity, kindness, humor and responsibility that guided his entire life.

After graduation from St. Rose of Lima High School, he was offered a track scholarship from Don Canham of U of M Ann Arbor. Pete turned down the scholarship because it would have taken him too far from his sisters as he was now their guardian. Pete served his country during the Korean War then went to college with the help of both the GI Bill and a swimming scholarship from the University of Detroit. He later received his master degree in education from Wayne State University. He got into teaching so he could coach, and coach he did for 48 years. Starting at St. Rose, St. Veronica then within the Center Line School district. Pete coached swimming, basketball, baseball and football. For over two decades he was the head football coach at Center Line High School. He was inducted into both the Michigan High School Football Coaches and Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. He was a great mentor and role model. As coach he never swore in front of his teams except for the occasional Judas Priest and Holy Fright. Beside teaching and coaching he served on the board of the City of Warren Parks and Recreation Commission, a lifeguard at Metropolitan Beach for over 20 years, a member of the Father Kramer K of C, a world traveler including London, Paris and other assorted adventures with the Nomads Travel Club, captain of his Sunfish sailboat, and tour director of family camping trips. He was the first of what we now know as an online shopper—Christmas shopping done in July via hundreds of catalogs delivered to his home. Although he loved all aspects of coaching, his one true love was his sweetheart Marilyn Mackin who he met at St. Rose. They married in 1954 and raised four children surrounding them with love and laughter.

Pete is survived by his dear wife Marilyn, sister Patricia, children: Sheila (Ted Griffin), Kathleen (Keith Gust), Christine (Bruce Knapp) and Patrick (Rebecca). Grandchildren: Jade (Jason Morrison) Hallie, Bryan (Angela), Jonathan, Jessica, Erin (Sean Milliken) Hannah, Emily and Luke. Great grandchildren: Griffin, Keegan, Lawton, Avery and Camden.

Pete and Marilyn were some kind of team! Together they always saw the glass as half full, even in hard times. Devout Catholics, they did disagree over who was the better Saint—St. Anthony (Pete’s favorite) or St Jude (Marilyn’s favorite). To be in their company you were treated to something special. Pete was a terrific husband, father, grandfather, coach and friend. It was always great fun to receive a letter or card from him with his unmistakable handwriting, lovely words and probably a photograph or four. He would surprise his grandchildren in college by sending them all kinds of things from giant tins of popcorn to frozen meat. Dad, we just know you got through those pearly gates, and we forever wish you a winning season, clean gutters, crispy bacon, hot coffee and cold Guinness.

Visitation Sunday, Jan. 14 from 3-8 at the Edward Swanson Funeral Home, 30351 Dequindre Rd, Madison Heights. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Monday Jan. 15 at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church, 2500 Twelve Mile Rd, Warren. Immediately following Mass a graveside service with Military Honors will be held at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Rd., Clinton Township.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the YMCA, Boys Town or Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Please share memories and sign the online guestbook at www.edwardswansonandsonfuneralhome.com.