NORWICH – Barrett “Flash” Coleman, 57, of Tampa, Fla., died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer.
Mr. Coleman was born Nov. 10, 1953, in Norwich, son of the late John “Bud” and Alma Coleman, also of Norwich. He was a 1972 graduate of New Berlin Central High School; 1974 graduate of SUNY Morrisville, with a degree in Agricultural Business; and later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he earned another degree in Criminal Justice. He served his country in active duty from 1978-1999, at which time he retired as a Master Sergeant. Barrett continued to work full-time until his diagnosis in January of 2010.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia “Tia” (Proper) Coleman, whom he married Sept. 25, 1982; daughters, Sandra K. (Joseph Del Torto) of Schenectady, and Katie Grey of Orlando, Fla.; brother, Harold (Connie) of Norwich; sisters, Beverly of Wesley Chapel, Fla., and Kathy (Roy) Gunther of Norwich; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, several sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law and step-mother-in-law. Also, two very special people in his life, Carl and Karen Chawgo of South New Berlin.