Coleman Francis Szely

Coleman Francis Szely, CPA, age 72, of Dumont, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones. Born in Garfield, he grew up in Park Ridge. He also spent time visiting family and dear friends at their homes in Sea Girt, Spring Lake and Lawrenceville.

Coleman attended Our Lady of Mercy elementary school, Park Ridge, and was a 1968 graduate of St. Joseph’s High School, Montvale. In 1972, he received his B.S. in Accounting from Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, where he was active in the college’s ROTC program and the school’s radio station, WZBC, where he served as a sports announcer and business manager. Coleman went on to earn his M.B.A in Finance from Iona University, New Rochelle, NY.

In addition to being the owner of Coleman F. Szely, CPA, LLC, Coleman was very active in several local and state business organizations. He was a past trustee of the New Jersey Society of CPAs, a past president of the society’s Bergen County chapter, and chair of the society’s Student Programs and Scholarship Committee. He also served on the FACT committee for the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

Coleman was an active member and past president of the New Jersey Alumni Club for Boston College graduates. He was a diehard Boston College Eagles fan, attending as many of the school’s football games as his busy schedule allowed.

Coleman was predeceased by his parents, Coleman F. and Mildred Kobylarz Szely, formerly of Park Ridge and Sea Girt. He is survived by his sister, Laura Leddy Turner and her husband William S. Turner, III, Spring Lake Heights; his niece, Emilee Leddy Carton and her husband, Michael Carton, Shrewsbury; his nephew, Brendan Leddy and his wife, Caitlin, Manasquan; his niece, MacKenzie Turner and her partner, Terrence Allsup of Manhattan; his long-time companion, Ann Norz, Lawrenceville; grand-nephew Hayden Carton and grand-niece Charlotte Leddy.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Coleman’s life will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday, January 30, 10:30 a.m. at St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake, followed by Coleman’s interment with his beloved parents in St. Catharine Cemetery, Wall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Becker-FuneralHome.com for the Szely family.