I miss Patrick. He tuned my piano for around 10+ years and we always had a nice conversation with a cup of tea.  He shared stories of his life. Hiking especially. My condolences go out to his family and loved one. I miss his kind gentle beautiful soul.  Ken Langlieb.

We are so sorry to hear of Pat's passing. He was our piano tuner for years - always with a smile on his face, easy-going and kind and so humble and respectful in his ways. He was such a pleasure to work with and chat with. He'll be so dearly missed by all of us here at Scherzo - teachers, students and managers. May he rest in peace! We'll miss you, Pat!

I loved my time with Patrick. He was my piano tuner for around 20 years. We would talk and tell stories. He talked about his hiking and other interests and his family with much pride. He was so pleasant. I always looked forward to our biannual visits. I am so sorry that he left us so soon and I am saddened by this loss. He was one of a kind, emphasis on kind. I will miss him. I was glad he reached out to me in these last months to connect. My love goes out to his lifelong partner his children. Heaven has received another beautiful Angel, a loving soul.

Mr. Coleman tuned my Wurlitzer for decades. This piano tolerated the thrashing of its keys by all the members of my family.  The only decent treatment it ever received was from Mr. Coleman.
The living room was prepared for his arrival-sufficient lighting, clear work space, casings opened.  The only sounds for the next hour were the restoration of the piano's magic.  The crowning moment was when Mr. Coleman sat down and played his joyous music.
The piano absorbed Mr. Coleman's kind nature, care, and talent. I struggled to ensure my striking of its keys would  measure up to its condition.
I was always afraid that he would not have time to visit. And now my piano will never again get such kind treatment and I will never be able to enjoy the company of a truly wonderful gentleman.

Although it was a few years back, Pat was, for a time, an enthusiastic member of the High Point Harmonizers barbershop-style chorus in Sussex County.  During his years with the chorus, he participated in quite a number of competition appearances and other performances, many of which were charitable appearances at local senior residences and rehabs.  He was with us at least a couple of times when the chorus sang at the Sparta Christmas Market at Lake Mohawk.  During one of the latter performances, speaking of his offbeat sense of humor, he feigned a “fainting spell” at a strategic point in one of our songs.  Unfortunately, he had not warned us, and we broke off in great concern for his wellbeing.  Of course, he jumped up, and we were able to continue after a few moments.

We will miss his pleasant, capable voice and his ear for barbershop harmony.  May the road rise to meet you, Pat…

Musical Director June Noble, and Chapter Secretary Tom Noble


Pat and my dad, Bob Giblin - what a pair!  Pat, precious man, you will be missed!

I only met Patrick briefly this summer, but was struck by infectious smile, positive outlook and deep care of nature.  Sometimes a momentary meeting can leave an indelible feeling of cheer and hope.  I regret I won’t have an opportunity to get to know him better, but it is clear that his spirit has touched so many.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

In Sympathy,
Mari

My first time meeting Pat Coleman was at one of my first PTG (Piano Technicians Guild) meetings. He was doing a presentation on key rebushing.  I remember when I got my first key rebushing job I went back to Pat's house with a few piano keys and he showed me the ropes. Afterwards we hung out with his pride and joy, a beautiful old Steinway O piano, tuned, refurbished and regulated by Pat himself. I couldn't keep my hands off that thing. This experience kindled a friendship between us which lasted over the years. We were roommates together at one of the PTG national conventions.

But the most memorable experiences were the amazing parties he had, at least 2 a year. There was always good food, good drink, good people, music, dancing, singing and the musicians were top shelf!

Pat was a monster piano technician who loved his craft, but more importantly he was just so much fun to be around. He never took life too seriously, although he always lived life to the fullest. And he an arsenal of jokes a million miles deep!

Pat was one of a kind. His love of music, his family and friends was profound. His warmth and laughter will always be missed. 

--Austin King

I worked with Patrick at Fairview Piano back in the mid 80’s. He was a great guy and good friend. We would often meet together for lunch on Wednesday’s. It was at one of those lunches that we saw on the bar TV the explosion of the Challenger.  We couldn’t believe what we were seeing! After we went on to become independent piano technicians he would sometimes call me in on restoration jobs that were more than what he wanted to do. I was always grateful for the work and happy to help out. He invited me out to Rock Lodge a few times. A great and  unique experience. Eventually I moved back to Minnesota where I grew up and we lost track of each other for many years. Last winter I got to thinking about him and looked him up on the web. We emailed each other last February. I got to share some of my restoration projects and he told of going ice boating. He was such a gentle and kind soul. He will be missed.

Patrick and I were born only months apart and we met when we were both 5 years old after his family arrived at our lake community on their first day. He claimed that I was the first "other kid" that he met there, and although it was clear that he remembered vivid details of us meeting for the first time on that day, his memory was clearly better than mine is of that day over 66 years ago in 1955.

After a somewhat common early teenage rough patch I had relating to other kids of a similar age during the summers I spent in thast community and away from my "real" home (as we liked to call it) in NYC, we ended up as friends for life from that point on.

Throughout our lives, we always had our shared memories as kids to keep us bonded together as friends and I will always remember him and the time we spent together, both during our early years, and as adults with children of our own.

The accompanying picture is one that my father took of Patrick, Gary Durgin and myself during a wonderful moment of levity, when we were each about 14 or 15 years old. You can clearly see the bond that Patrick had with Gary and how we all enjoyed each others' company. Of course, this photo clearly shows that even at that age, Patrick and Gary were the very best of friends.

It has been an amazing lifetime knowing and being friends with Patrick. I will miss him. 

Christine, John and Mary - We were surprised to hear of Pat's passing, especially since when we talked two weeks ago we were left with a sense he had then recently been diagnosed. I guess it was his way of reaching out to say: "Goodbye friends."
Patrick did so very much for his Hardyston Township community. His years with Hardyston First Aid/EMS and then Hardyston OEM and Sussex County R.A.C.E.S. made him a go-to person during critical events. His name will be cast on the memorial records of the 12th District, NJSEMS Council.
He was so enthusiastic about ice-boating. Too risky for us as was some of his hiking treks.
We will always remember volleyball, especially going to Ohio to play in "Super Bowl" against the college teams off-season. Pat always played a tier or two higher than Skip. He thrived on spiking the ball at the net.
St. Patrick's Day will never be the same again without the famous Coleman pot-luck parties and jam sessions. We enjoyed doing karaoke all over the Sussex County area. Patrick never repeated a song. He would ask: "Have I done this one before?" Skip has favorites that he performs consistently with the support of the KJs and followers.
Patrick: Thank you for being our friend. Rest in Peace. "Side out!"
 

For as long as I have known Patrick, he loved our Lake community and was always willing to volunteer his time and talents to make it a better place.  Just recently, for the first time all of our cabins have address numbers shown on the cabins.  Those were the numbers that were so logically developed by Patrick years ago and that is how they are identified in the E911 system.  Almost 40 years later we are getting around to putting those numbers on the cabins!  Patrick was our safety manager and for years conducted lakeside training for all members every year. Even this past year while quietly battling his health, Patrick provided a detailed recommendation for managing our forest in a better way than he thought we are currently doing. There is so much more - much of which is listed in other posts here. 

On a personal note, Patrick tuned my piano.  He didn't just tune it, he researched the serial number and identified that it was built in 1895.  But he made it sound brand new!  Piano tuning wasn't just a job for Patrick, he loved his work.

Patrick always spoke his mind and sometimes many didn't agree with him.  But our whole community appreciates his many contributions over many years.  I especially appreciate his friendship.  I can hear his distinctive voice saying hello and then sliding into a conversation about his opinion on an important community matter.  I will miss listening to his perspective.

I grew up with Patrick knowing him for so long as I can remember.  He, as many have said, had an odd but funny sense of humor. He was never one to hold back his opinion but sometimes you could never be sure if he was really being serious, as he would have that twinkle in his eye and half smile. He was always an unfailingly good friend and I knew he would always be there should I ever need him. I shall miss him.

To John & Christine
In Memory of your Father
For the past 65 years you have been my closest and dearest friend. I will miss you so much. I do find comfort in knowing that the memories of all the things we did together will be with me for the rest of my time. My writing ability limits me to touch on just a few of these.  
 This time of year, we would typically be hiking the Sussex County trails using the excuse that we were hunters. The birds and deer had nothing to fear from us but the serenity that can be found in the woods and the bonding was without equal.
 When we were very young my father introduced us to Ice Boating which became a real passion. Your competitive spirit had you constantly researching ways of getting the wind push you that much faster and building the equipment to do it. 
A common interest we developed was in Amateur (ham) radio. You became proficient in the code (Morse) enabling you to communicate with others in far off places under the call sign of WB2SHX.
At the “Lake” we formed a club we called the ElColDurVans, we named it by using parts of our small group's last names. We spent the summers swimming, fishing, playing tennis, volleyball, flashlight tag, apple tree climbing, bike hiking and just about anything else, including several minor mischievous deeds. 
Over the years we would enjoy a motorcycle ride or having a burger in our back yard while you would tune our Upright Yamaha. Your wonderful skill at creating such beautiful music on the instrument instilled the passion for the piano in my son, Timothy. Something that both he and Cindy and I are very much appreciative. 
Forever Your Friend
Love Gary


Patrick Coleman was a very special person. He was a great friend to me, to my father, and to so many other people. 

Pat loved ice boating. My father started taking me iceboating with Pat and Johnny when I was just 10 years old. When I was 12, Johnny and I took our maiden voyage, unsupervised, in a little ice bird. We made it across Budd Lake in one piece, but when we tried to turn around and head back to the dock, a sudden gust of wind knocked the boat over and we fell out onto the ice, soaking wet. My father and Pat ran across the ice on a heroic rescue mission and took us back to Pat’s house to warm up with some mugs of hot chocolate. 

Patrick’s passion for piano was infectious. In fact, Pat is one of the main reasons I started playing piano and still play to this day. Pat tuned my Yamaha upright, without accepting any payment in return, for over fifteen years.

I last saw Pat a few months ago. My dad and I went up to his house and he cooked us a delicious Asian stir-fry dinner. He was clearly feeling the effects of his treatment, but he remained stoic, positive and determined to the end. That’s just the kind of person Pat was.

Pat, I will miss you. Every time I sit down at the piano to play, I know you’ll be there with me.

Love,
Tim

“He was trained classically, so he can play anything,” Patrick said admiringly to me while a talented pianist knocked out a show tune on  the vintage piano he had just gotten in tune and back into playable form.  Patrick was always one to celebrate and cheer the success of others. Even when he was provocative or challenging, he always meant well and was kind hearted.   He was precise in his study and appreciation of many things: whether it was the notes of a piano or the trajectory of a ping-pong ball in flight (he was the champ of Rock Lodge),

I do hope another owner of the Rock Lodge Cookbook posts Patrick’s recipe for Rock Lodge Spring Water.  I can’t find it, but his recipe gets the prize for the best entry in the book.  I remember it often, but his carefully crafted words say it better than my recollection.

Patrick also had a great appreciation for history.  Prior to the 100th year anniversary of the great Stone House at Rock Lodge, Patrick transcribed and republished an update of the original Stone House plans (an important book created by ALA Himmelwright; the original from which Patrick made his copy now  part of the permanent research archive at the Columbia University Avery Library in its school of Architecture and Historic Preservation).  It was a classic move by Patrick, who wanted to make sure that future generations could learn from and appreciate the knowledge of those that came before them.  I did.  Thank you Patrick, for all you did to make the world a better place.

I remember the first time I met Pat was at my aunts house for Christmas Eve.  He showed up late, after everyone had eaten dinner.   He was in the kitchen with my dad drinking Yukon Jack, iirc.  It took me a few years to learn his name, because he was wearing monogrammed slippers or a monogrammed shirt with someone else’s name on it.  I was maybe 7 years old, and I had never seen someone do that.  I thought it was hilarious.   I will remember Pat as a funny guy with a goofy sense of humor.  

I've known Patrick and his family since I was very young. His sister, Louise, was my best friend and sadly died in her early thirties.  Patrick was always very kind to me. Because of my close friendship with  Louise, I always felt a part of their family. I love Patrick. His passion for music and piano reflected his  gentle and deep inner being. He will be missed.


As the wife of Patrick’s best friend , Gary, I have gotten to know him well and often over all these years.  During all that time, I have never seen him in a bad mood,  upset or cranky or not busy.  If he complained I never heard it.   I so admired his happy,  cheerful  outlook on life and his concern for others, such as his rescue work.

Pat had many hobbies and interests .  He had an amazing garden of vegetables every year,  he was passionate about ice boating and motorcycling, and playing and tuning the piano was his joy and his business.

I have many memories of Gary and Pat laughing all the time on the phone or sitting outside chatting, packing up the car for ice boating or whatever it was.  Pat was a great father and he loved  his children, family, friends  and of course his love, Mary. 

My deepest sympathies to Patrick’s family.  I know he will be greatly missed by everyone.  We can be sure that he is safe, out of pain and in God’s hands now. 🙏🏻
C. Durgin

We will miss Pat as a friend and equally much when we hopefully can start up our dance socials again.  He always enjoyed the music and loved to dance to it.  Pat was so knowledgeable about many topics and was always a pleasure to talk to and gain insights.  Patrick, you will be missed by both of us and all who are here at Ballroom Magic.

Katy and Russ Fischer
Ballroom Magic Dance Studio.

The officers and members of the Lake Hopatcong Ice Yacht  Club wish to express our deepest condolences to Pat's family and friends.  

Pat was a long time member of  our Club serving as Commodore and other leadership positions. His workmanship on the boats was extraordinary and he was a strong competitor on the ice. And, he was always great to be around.

On behalf of LHIYC, we'll miss him.

Brian Haumersen

      

Pat was a kind soul who always had a smile to give and a funny story  to share. His love of pianos was quite evident in the three + decades  that I knew him. He will be missed. Rest in Peace Pat

Mary and family.  So very sorry to hear about Pat.  Prayed he had it beat.  Bill Lenz kept me updated.  I miss those Saturday breakfasts with Pat and Bill and sometimes Mary, you would join us.  My prayers to all of you.  
Sharon Denson

OBITUARY

Patrick F. Coleman

August 16, 1950 – November 26, 2021

Goble Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Visitation