Paul H. Coleman, Jr.

Paul H. Coleman, Jr., born August 15, 1943; died March 11, 2023 of heart failure. He was born at St. Ann’s hospital to Mary Donahue Coleman and Paul H. Coleman. He grew up in Bexley, attending St. Thomas the Apostle and Bishop Hartley, where he was a member of the first graduating class in 1961. He received a B.A. in English from the Ohio State University in 1965, and while an undergraduate was a member of the Freshman and Varsity football teams. He obtained a J.D. from the Ohio State College of Law in 1968. After graduation from law school, he served as legal counsel for the Franklin County Welfare Department, Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Public Welfare and was appointed Director of the Governor’s Office of Recovery Services. He served as Board Chair of the Youth Advocate Services and the Ohio Hunger Task Force. While in private practice he represented pro bono the community’s first homeless shelter. In 1991, he was hired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Maryhaven. During his time at Maryhaven he expanded its reach; offering a new lease on life for alcoholics and addicts throughout Central Ohio. When he retired in 2016 Maryhaven cared for 9,000 patients per year and employed over 500 people. The work at Maryhaven was recognized with the Alvis House Golden Rule Award (1999), the ADMAH Extra Mile Award (2001), The Columbus Foundation Award (2006) and the Cochran Award for Mental Health (2008). He was deeply grateful to receive the inaugural Nancy Jeffery Advocate for Social Justice Award from the Community Shelter Board (2019). He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Deborah Dye Coleman who died three weeks prior on February 17, 2023. He is survived by his three children Paul (Colleen), Elizabeth Toledo (Holbart), Miriam Chang (Edward) and seven grandchildren, Audrey, Pierce, Chelsea, Mateo, William, Isaac and Sophia. Calling hours will be held in the vestibule of Christ the King from 10:00am to 11:00am with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 on Friday March 24 at Christ the King church, 2777 East Livingston Avenue. Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery to follow. EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME in charge of arrangements. Visit www.egan-ryan.com to offer condolences. Family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the administration and staff at Wexner Heritage Village and Zusman Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Zusman Hospice or Maryhaven.