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John Paul Colesante, age 72 passed into the Hands of God on May 22, 2019 at .Country Club Manor after a courageous 10 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
John was born July 19, 1946 in Steubenville, OH, son of the late Adolph Paul Colesante who died July 20, 1977, and Lorraine Colesante Petrella, July 18, 2014. He also was preceded in death by his brother Michael William Colesante, July 11, 1989.
He grew up in Weirton, in “the best of times” where he enjoyed Fourth of July Parades along Main Street; fireworks that competed with mill smoke on those hot summer nights; riding on his grandfather’s tractor through vegetable gardens and flower fields; Christmas Eve at Nona’s house; all with parents and siblings in a home full of love. He was blessed to be educated by the beautiful nuns at St. Paul’s and Madonna who enriched his life not only with a love of learning, but also a strong faith that he would carry throughout his life. He was an altar boy at St. Paul’s, and recipient of several outstanding awards throughout high school.
He was a graduate of Madonna High School; St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, MD with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy; Catholic University, Washington, DC, Master’s in Religious Education; and Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA; Master’s in Spirituality.
John was employed as a Counselor/Interviewer at the West Virginia Job Service in Weirton for 18 years; and also worked as a Lay Minister in Logan WV and Oak Hill, WV. His other jobs included Market Research and as a provider for mentally challenged individuals. He was active in Adult Religious Education, Liturgy as a cantor and lector, and the Pro Life Movement. In his spare time, you could find him volunteering at the animal shelter!
In his crusade to live out Matthew 25 31:46, he hitchhiked across the country, from the public housing of Baltimore to California where he marched with Cesar Chavez in the grape and lettuce boycotts to gain farmworkers rights. He taught Native American children in the reservations in the west, before he returned home in 1976 to strengthen his family through his Dad’s terminal cancer. Later, he joined in local Prolife Marches and served jail time when he refused to stand down from his beliefs. He was known to give away the majority of his clothes, most of his money, bring strangers home for holiday meals, and ceaselessly campaign for the poor and human rights. A humble and caring individual, he had great empathy for and worked diligently to improve the lives of anyone who needed him.
His friend Mike summarized John’s life in this tribute:
“One of his aspects was that his life was a mural for him. After taking a break from the seminary, John's life turned to political activism, working side by side with Caesar Chavez to organize the grape pickers into a strong union and to make a better life for those who needed his help. To this day programs he helped to initiate are helping people who might not even know his name. John wanted to help whomever he could… was one of his most endearing qualifications. John's life was a book with many chapters that helped make him the person and friend that he was. The world is a better place because of John, I am proud to call him my friend.”
John was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish for much of his life, and more recently Holy Family Church, Steubenville, and Blessed Sacrament Church, Wintersville.
John is survived by his sister Elane and husband Paul Renzelli his buddy that he “probably liked” more than his sister!!!!; beloved nieces, Cara Renzelli and Maria Renzelli, both of Pittsburgh. Also left to cherish his memory are his lifetime friends Mike and Marlene Runkel, and Jim Pauchnik; his very special classmates of the Madonna High School Class of 1964; several cousins; Robert, Elaine and Ed Renzelli, Rosetta Stone; and the many individuals whose lives he touched in countless ways.
The family gratefully acknowledge Charity Hospice who carried John with dignity, love, and respect through to the end of his journey; the compassionate staff members of Country Club Manor that he called home for almost seven years, who understood his debilitating disease with all its curses; Dr. Steve Kuruc; Dr. Augusto Fojas, priests, deacons, lay ministers, and everyone who visited him, prayed with him, and brought him peace.
Friends will be received at Dunlope Shorac Funeral Home in Wintersville Tuesday May 28th, 4 PM to 7 PM; Vigil at 6:45. A funeral liturgy with Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church, Monsignor Kurt H. Kemo, celebrant. John will be laid to rest next to his brother at St. Paul Cemetery, Weirton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Charity Hospice, PO Box, 2483, Wintersville, OH 43953. In John’s memory, be kind to a stranger, and live Matthew 25 31-46.
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