Kenneth Bruce Coleman

Ken died after a full 90 years. His roots were a stable happy family in Croydon, Sydney NSW, with this father, Bruce, mother Annie, and his younger brother Max. From leaving school Ken worked in a variety of fields before beginning an accounting course. The Second World War intervened and Ken did active service in the Royal Australian Airforce both in Australia and England. During that time Ken survived the Blitz in London. Both Ken and his brother Max survived the War and returned to Australia. Ken became an auditor and worked for Qantas during which time he met Gwenneth Baker, who shortly after became his wife. Not long into their marraige, Ken and Gwen bought a newsagency in Rockdale (Sydney) which they ran successfully for a number of years. They then sold that business and moved to Bathurst NSW where they purchased another newsagency. Bathurst was where Ken diversified into other areas of business, founding Coleman's Business Service, which later became Coleman Pye and had branches throughout NSW, employing up to 50 people. He also was very involved in the local Bathurst community participating extensively in charitable organisations and community groups. Daughters Jane and Louise were born in Bathurst and the family lived in Bathurst till 1976. Ken retired at that time and the family moved to Winda Woppa (Hawks Nest Port Stephens). Again Ken immersed himself in the local community and pursued his life long passion of playing tennis, golf and fishing (Toad of Toad Hall). After 18 good years in Winda Woppa, Ken and Gwen followed their daughter Jane and family to Perth, Western Australia in 1994. Ken soon found himself an active tennis club and played regularly for many years. Ken and Gwen built a house in West Leederville which they enjoyed together until Gwen's passing on 16th February 1999. After a few years Ken met Noreen Atkinson at a New Years Eve party at the end of 2002. He subsequently married her on 28th June 2003. They separated on 29th November 2005 and later were divorced. Ken decided the house was too big for one person. In 2006 he elected to move to St Louis Estate where he lived independently in a two bedroom unit till July 2012. His health declined and he moved to the newly completed aged care facility next door, Monte Clare, where he passed away on 28th November 2012.