‘A parent’s worst nightmare:’ Lemont Furnace family pushing forward in the face of tragedy
Shawn Coleman’s parents hold up his senior picture in their Lemont Furnace home Wednesday. Coleman died in a crash on Route 40 in Redstone Township May 3. He was a senior at Laurel Highlands High School.
West Leisenring Volunteer Firefighter Shawn Coleman’s gear was laid out in his Lemont Furnace home Wednesday. The 17-year-old died in a crash on Route 40 in Redstone Township May 3.
Shawn Coleman’s first buck is mounted in his Lemont Furnace home next to his photograph. Coleman, 17, died in a crash on Route 40 in Redstone Township May 3. He shot the 8-point buck at age 10.
On March 3 at 3:18 p.m., 12-year-old Connor Coleman heard a call on the scanner and immediately thought of his older brother.
The boy listened as dispatchers sent a drove of first responders rushing to the scene of a “T-bone” collision on Route 40 in Redstone Township near the Brownsville Drive-In.
“(Connor) called, and he said he just had a bad feeling that it was his brother,” said Tabatha Coleman, the boys’ mother.
Shawn Coleman, age 17, had just dropped off his girlfriend in Brownsville. His family was expecting him home soon.
Transmissions reported “CPR in progress,” followed by “DOA” (dead on arrival). Then, a dispatcher read the name of the vehicle owner.
Connor made the first call to his parents, followed soon by more phone calls. Shawn never made it home.
“We’re just struggling with the situation, you know?” said his dad, Aaron “Hank” Coleman.
Scanner chatter is a constant in the Coleman household. Hank, West Leisenring’s assistant fire chief, keeps an ear on his fellow firefighters even as he takes a break from fire calls. Radio transmissions are white noise in the home, punctuated by frequent phone calls. Some call to offer support or check on the family. Others are a more tedious aspect of tragedy’s aftermath – tying up the loose ends of an unexpected death.
After 26 years in the fire department, Hank has been close to death and tragedy many times.
“I saw a lot of stuff, and a lot of it hits home when it’s kids involved,” he said. “This is the worst nightmare a parent could have.”
Shawn’s life revolved around the fire department from an early age. His dad started bringing him to the fire station regularly to see the trucks when he was 2. By age 17, Shawn had a favorite – Engine No. 1 – an antique model from 1983.
He joined the fire department at age 14, the youngest a person is able to join West Leisenring’s ranks.
“That’s all he would really talk about: ‘I can’t wait to be a fireman,'” his mom said.
She sat on the couch with tissues within reach and her husband beside her. Their two sons are permanently together, with their portraits tattooed on their father’s forearm.
“There’s my two boys,” he said, turning his arm to show the image clearly.
The living area of their Lemont Furnace home was filled with family photos and mounted trophies from the family’s hunting trips. Plaques memorialized their son’s time in the fire service. A senior picture was leaned against the wall. His fire gear was neatly folded near the doorway.
A mounted buck stretched its broad neck toward Tabatha’s seat on the couch. Next to it was a small photo of Shawn, who shot the 8-point buck at 10 years old.
“That’s the biggest one in this whole room,” said his dad, his voice swelling with fatherly pride.
He taught both Shawn and Connor how to hunt. The boys often took fishing trips together, regardless of the weather – as long as there were no fire calls to run.
“He was all about hunting, fishing and the fire department. That’s it,” he said.
Shawn’s family was amazed by the number of friends and strangers who shared stories of their boy, and overwhelmed at the crowd that gathered to remember him. About 3,000 people attended his services, with about 800 visiting in two hours of the first night.
“It was amazing that so many people cared about him,” said his mother.
Shawn’s parents said they will remember him for his continually happy nature and his service to the community. He had a fun-loving, outgoing presence that drew people toward him, they said.
“People loved being around him,” said his dad.
“Every time he smiled, he just lit up the room,” his mother added. “He had such full cheeks, and dimples. He had a heart of gold.”
The family thanked the first responders who attended to their son, and thanked the community for continual support from local fire departments, businesses, friends and family.
“We’ve just had so much love and support from everybody. I think it will help us get through these times,” Tabatha said. “For now, we’ve just got to take it one day at a time.”