During my life and travels I've had the pleasure of meeting some real characters and some good friends. I will make an attempt to introduce some of them to you. Many pictures were lost and many never taken, so just imagine some of these folks where pictures aren't available. You arrived here through my "Irish Page"(origionally), and I had intended this to be an extension of that, to include Irish friends and aquaintances. Since I have so few Irish friends I have decided to lump everyone together, all friends and aquaintences aquired during my life, at least the ones who stand out. Chalk this up to my aversion to make a "friends page" for every other page associated with this site.

This is a picture of Ray Coleman obviously cropped from the band picture in the music pages but it's the only one I've got left. Taken in 1963 in Savannah, Georgia. Ray is in his 30's and probably as strong and healthy as he'll ever be. A real musician in the sense that once Ray got into a tune he could work it any way he wanted. He wrote a lot of his own tunes, and we recorded some of them. Sadly they only made it to local jukeboxes and very brief air play for a few, but he never gave up. Always looking for an angle, a way to reach his goal, that was Ray.

When I first met Ray, his wife Dot and their kids I was seventeen and Ray was thirty-three or so. He became a good friend and a mentor of sorts. For all his flaws he always tried to steer me in the right direction. Granted, some of his bad habits did rub off, but he always meant well. His son Guy was just seven at the time and we became more like brothers. More on Guy (Gy as he prefers) later. Ray was the one who got me into the Boilermakers, through Joe Vanderbush and later George "Red" Berkey. He gave me his prayer book when I went into the Navy, and made sure I had enough money when I came home on leave. I have sat at the family table on many occaisions and enjoyed Dot's great cooking. We shared a lot together and had our differences too, but Ray will always be fondly remembered.

In 1990 well before his time Ray fell victim to cancer. There wasn't much time, about six months form when he found out, untill the end. What this insideous dispicable disease did to him was unbelieveable. Gy said he went fighting for the last breath. The only way I recognized him at the viewing was by his hands, Ray had one set of paws on him. A lot of the old "tankies" and musician friends came to the funeral. Rest In peace Raymond. We hadn't been as close in the last years, and in many ways I regret it to this day.
March 22, 2005. Gy called today to say that Dot had died at around 9:15am. She had been fighting cancer for a while and it finally took her. Dot was a big part of my life in my early days. She was the best, none better. She was the rock in the family and could always be counted on. I will miss her sorely and always hold her dear to my heart.

Dot's Obituary Published in the Gloucester County Times from 3/23/2005 - 3/24/2005.

Dorothy L. Coleman (nee Moore) age 72, of Oak Valley died Tuesday Mar. 22, 2005 at Kennedy Hospital in Cherry Hill. Born in Philadelphia, she had been a resident of Oak Valley for 45 years. She had been a local artist and doll sculptor who operated Innovative Designs Ceramic Studio in Mantua. Most recently Mrs. Coleman enjoyed working at Red Eagle Produce and had been a member of Southwood Baptist Church. Wife of the late Raymond Coleman. She is survived by three daughters Robyn Lee Albright and her husband Len of Blue Anchor, N.J., Stacey Valdez and her husband Joe of West Deptford, Denise Coleman of St. Augustine, Fla., a son Gy Coleman, Grandmother of Jackie and her husband Stephen, Carrie, Len, Nicole, Sarah, Kenny, Jason, and Shane, also two brothers Robert Moore and his wife Blanche of Cujo Key, Fla., Willis Kirk and his wife Joan of Laurel, Del., sister-in-law, Betty and her husband Ky, and special friends, Joyce and Ryan Mondae.
Relatives and friends may visit with the family 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 25, 2005 at the SMITH FUNERAL HOME 47 Main St. Mantua. Funeral services 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Interment Eglington Cemetery.
Rest in peace Dot.