John Joseph Coll
It is with great sadness that the family of John Joseph Coll of Western Springs, IL & formerly of Rutherford NJ, announce his passing on January 11, 2023 at age 72. Born in New York City, he grew up in Rutherford and attended St. Mary’s Parochial Grammar and High Schools. He participated in football, baseball, and glee club. He was a graduate of the Class of 1968.
He went on to attend New Jersey Institute of Technology (formerly Newark College of Engineering), where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1973. He completed his Master’s degree in civil engineering, also from NJIT, in 1975, while being a fraternity member of Alpha Phi Delta.
John worked for several private engineering firms in New Jersey, Virginia, and Illinois before taking a position with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency Regional Office in Chicago, where he worked for 36 year. He finished his career working within the Inspector General’s Office.
He spent 28 years volunteering with SEASPAR in Illinois, a group that works with special needs athletes. He worked with the cross-country skiing and swimming teams, and assisted with static hot air balloon rides for disabled individuals, as well as assisting in any position where help was needed, driving athletes to events as well as coaching.
A lifelong Yankees fan, he enjoyed attending the spring training season games while residing at his winter residence in St. Petersburg, FL. He was a larger-than-life force of nature. John was loved and adored by family and friends. Although his passing leaves a big hole in their lives, he will forever be in their hearts.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Suzanne Ella Coll (nee Anderson); son Matthew Coll; brothers Bill Coll (Austin, TX), Stephen Coll (Weatherford, TX), Michael Coll (Arizona); sister Theresa Coll (Rutherford, NJ); three nieces Christina, Samantha, and Aleis; two nephews, Michael and Phillip; three great-nieces, Kaydence, Olivia, and Kinsley; and one great-nephew, Hudson. He was predeceased by his parents, Owen J. and Theresa A. Coll (nee Zaremba).
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s memory to any of the following:
Special Olympics (https://support.specialolympics.org/)
SEASPAR (https://www.seaspar.org/)
Rutherford Volunteer Ambulance Corps (https://www.rutherfordems.org/)
I worked with John on a number criminal cases in which he provided much needed technical support, frequently leading to convictions and fines. John was always willing to travel in support of the EPA IG’s mission to ferret out fraud and abuse and provided expert testimony to federal prosecutors and in federal court. John will be sorely missed by me personally and the federal law enforcement community. RIP
We are saddened by this news. John was a truly good man and a great swim coach! He always had time for the kids, siblings and parents. I loved chatting with him at swim practice and whenever we ran into each other. Our deep condolences to his family, especially Suzanne and Matt. May memories shelter your hearts in the coming days.
As a special Olympics cross country skiing, he was amazing person who helpes with Seaspar’s his heart has a special place for Seaspar and the athletes that he coached made him smile Bridget
He was my first swimming coach, when I started at SEASPAR. Swimming was my first Special Olympics sport. He was my coach in freestyle and backstroke and freestyle relay.
I am truly going to miss him as a good coach.
We knew John thru Seaspar, he was our daughter’s swim and snowshoe coach. He was an amazing person and had a wonderful relationship with all the youth that he coached. He will be truly missed. Hope all the memories will give his family comfort!
My wife, Cheryl, and I had the privilege of knowing John as both a parent of a SEASPAR athlete, and as a co-worker during a number of programs. He was a joy to be around because he always had an upbeat and positive attitude. We are saddened to hear of his passing, and our prayers are with you. May God bless.
We were saddened to learn about John’s passing at our Seaspar banquet last evening. He was Mark’s coach in many sports. It was always a joy to see his big smile at the Serena’s Song Hot Air Balloon rides at the July 4th Festival in Lisle. He always said “Hi” and talked to everyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with Suzanne and Matt and family. May God Bless.