On Monday 25 August 2008 at 2.35 am in the Convent of St Joseph, Whitby Father Peter Coleman returned to the Lord. May he rest in peace.

Fr Peter, the sixth of Dolly and John Coleman’s eight children (five boys and three girls) was born on 16 June 1938, the Feast of Corpus Christi. He attended St Philomena’s School (Sacred Heart) in Middlesbrough until age 11 when the scholarship took him to the Marist College. On completion of his secondary education, Peter entered Mount Melleray, Waterford, to study philosophy, after which he proceeded to St John’s, Waterford, to study Theology. Peter was ordained for the diocese by Bishop Brunner on 17 June 1962 in the Holy Name of Mary, Middlesbrough.

After ordination until 1978 Peter served as assistant priest in St Mary’s Grangetown, Sacred Heart, Hull, St Charles, Hull, Our Lady and St Peter, Bridlington, and St George’s, York. He was appointed Parish Priest to St Wilfrid’s, Hull, where he remained for five years before becoming Parish Priest at St Joseph’s, Scarborough, until 2000. Peter remained as Parish Priest at Sacred Heart, Hornsea, until 2007 before taking up his chaplaincy role at St Joseph’s Convent, Whitby.

Along with a number of the brethren, Peter was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Open University in 1976. Until sickness prevented him, Peter was an enthusiastic golfer, and represented the diocese on numerous occasions. We extend our prayerful sympathy to his family, the Sisters of Mercy, and his wide circle of friends.

Father Peter’s remains will be received into St Hilda’s, Whitby, at 7 pm on Monday, 1 September where vigil Mass will be celebrated. The Requiem Mass will be in St Hilda’s at noon the following day.

May the Lord grant him eternal peace.