Support Nick Coleman's family!

Dear Friends of Nick, Laura, Mac, Declan, and Finn,

As you may know, after suffering a massive stroke Sunday night, journalist and all-around mensch Nick Coleman died today at the much too young age of 67.  On Tuesday, his wife Laura (no slouch in the writing department herself) sent a beautiful email about their last family weekend together:

Dear ones, 

My impetuous and Homeric husband, Nicholas Joseph Coleman, recent gold medal winner of the 2018 Midwest Fleadh recitation competition in St. Louis, is leaving this earth. On Sunday night, after a beautiful weekend of music and craic with the kids, he suffered a massive stroke that he could not have survived. All six of his kids have been at his bedside to say goodbye, surrounded by our family and unbelievably generous friends and neighbors who have held us up with stories, poems, and prayers, and so many baked goods and pot roasts on the porch. We are overwhelmed by your kindness. 

Nick wanted to be an organ donor, and so today we are beginning the process of making some good come from this heartbreak. The LifeSource team is mobilizing now, and at some point soon a donor flag (and one from our own vast collection of Irish Republic banners) will be flying in his honor at Regions Hospital. I ask you all to hold him in the light, raise a glass, shake your fist or anything else that would honor his big heart and big mouth.

Nick loved his life, and left absolutely nothing that mattered to him unsaid. We are gutted, but grateful for all of your kindness today and the days to come. 


We are starting this GoFundMe campaign to help Laura and the boys as they move forward without Nick.  

Laura will be deciding what the family's needs are, but here are some ideas about how your donation may help:

$50 will cover a meal for the family
$75 will cover an Irish music lesson for one of the boys
$100 will cover school supplies for one of the boys
$175 will cover a house cleaning session
$200 will cover sports enrollment and equipment for one of the boys
$225 will cover a counseling session for the family

Any amount you give will help cover medical expenses not covered by insurance, funeral expenses, mortgage expenses, self-care, day-to-day living and saving for college.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Assumption in downtown St. Paul. Visitation will be held at the church one hour before the service and from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave., which is handling arrangements.  If you can be there to support the family, please come.

On behalf of Laura, Mac, Declan, and Finn, thank you so much for your generosity during this very difficult time.


Emily Goldberg
Sarah Lightner
Sarah Morrow
Elizabeth Sullivan
Heather Zenk