Alexandria, VA - Coleman J. Conroy, a 30 years resident of Alexandria, VA, died on August 23, 2025, after a short illness. He was predeceased by his wife, Carol Park Conroy; and brother, Thomas P. Conroy of Atlanta, GA. He is survived by sister, Mary Catherine Conroy Hayden; and brother-in-law, Thomas C. Hayden; and sister, Eileen Conroy Kravitz of Pittsburgh, PA, Also surviving him are his niece, Kimberly Conroy Werling and husband, William of Colorado Springs; and nephews, Shawn Conroy and wife, Sharry of Atlanta, GA and Brendan Kravitz and wife, Alex of Pittsburgh, PA.

Coleman earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy from the Divine Word College followed by four years of graduate studies in theology and graduate work in political science at Loyola University.

Following years of study in the Society of the Divine Word order, Coleman left the order to teach history at Verbum Dei High School in Watts, California. He also handled publicity for the high school and started a newsletter and led seminars in film criticism.

After two years of teaching, Coleman moved to Washington D.C., to attend Georgetown University Graduate School of international relations.

Coleman's career then turned toward public service. He worked first for congressman Ralph H. Metcalfe of Chicago, where he managed legislation and coordinated all committee hearings on issues, involving consumer protection and finance. Coleman also worked for the congressmen on transportation and commerce involving the Panama Canal.

Upon Congressman Ralph Metcalfe's death, Coleman worked for Rep. Bennett M. Stewart of Chicago, initiating and coordinating a number of investigations by the General Accounting Office. These included a finding of a disproportionate amount of federal spending in the final quarter of the fiscal year, the inadequacy of federal oversight of Housing Authorities throughout the country and the assurance of the federal government's use of the most economic routes for its maritime shipments.

Coleman then was asked to serve as chief of staff for a third Congressman: William J. Coyne of Pittsburgh, PA. Representative Coyne was a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and became its ranking member. For 20 years, Coleman worked on public housing issues in Pittsburgh. He also focused on issues of internationally recognized worker rights in U.S. trade agreements. He also worked on appropriation, tax and trade issues. He helped write legislation to create jobs through the issuance of tax exempt bonds and laws to promote tax deductions for charitable contributions.

Coleman wrote and edited a theological journal as well as an international religious news service. He wrote articles for the Urban Institute of Washington, D.C.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Carol. They saw much of the world together. Yet Coleman had a particular fondness for Ireland. His mother's ancestors came from County Mayo and his father and namesake was born in County Galway and immigrated to the U.S. Coleman avidly researched his family's ancestry and enjoyed family reunions here and in Ireland.

Coleman was an avid reader: politics, theology, biography and history. He was a staunch member of a reading group that met monthly for three decades.

Coleman was supported during his lifetime and his illness by many friends who visited him and were a great support during his illness. He passed away at home in his beloved library, on August 23, 2025.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled, for early December. Friends are encouraged to contribute in Coleman's memory to their favorite charity.