Obituaries Obituaries are updated regularly and archived on JN Online: The Chapel that recognizes each family's individual needs. wwvv.detroitjewishnews.corn Bravery And Determination RONELLE GRIER Special to the Jewish News Our hear t felt condolences to the families we have served. We serve the entire Jewish communi by bringing together our rich traditions with customized, sensitive services. Associated with all cemeteries. ILENE BATCKO Rabbi: Daniel Syme of Temple Beth El Nusach Hari Cemetery ETHEL REISMAN Hebrew Memorial Park JEAN SEID Rabbi: Darnel Schwartz of Temple Shir Shalom Hebrew Memorial Park SYBIL PAULINE BODZIN Rabbi: Emlimelech Goldberg Nusach Hari Cemetery Please call us at: (248) 543-1622 SARAH KAGAN Rabbi: Harold Loss of Temple Israel Hebrew Memorial Park Pinsker Section Outside Michigan at: 1-800-736-5033 ISADORE I. ELIAS 26640 Greenfield Road Oak Park, Michigan 48237 Rabbi: Daniel Nevins of Adat Shalom Synagogue Adat Shalom Memorial Park AIM* SUM IIMINIT L, VIM ssimakVirmas Rabbi Boruch E. Levin .11111011111111111111111111 Executive Director, H.B.S. Robert H. Bodzin Funeral Director nett "Lz; ran Asher T. Tatelbaum Funeral Coordinator 4/18 2003 114 threw ernorial Chapel From Generation to Generation Mark E. Klinger Funeral Director III atthew David Colman was born on the 4th of July — and for many years, he thought the annual fireworks were all in honor of his birthday. On April 4, 2003, Matt's fireworks were extinguished at age 27. He died of com- plications from cystic fibrosis at the University of Southern California Hospital in Los Angeles in the loving arms of his mother, Lynn Levi, and sur- rounded by family mem- bers, devoted friends and caregivers. Matt's strug- Matt Colman gle began soon after birth, when he was first diagnosed with the potentially fatal lung disease. His life was relatively symptom-free until he graduat- ed from West Bloomfield High School and entered the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. It was then that his ill- ness began to affect his ability to function. But Matt was determined not to let it change his life. "He always went to class no matter what," said his sister Alyssa Kay of Farmington Hills. "Some days he was so sick and feverish, he would have to stop several times on his way to class, choking and gagging, but he got there regardless. He just wanted to be treated like every- one else." Matthew studied film and video production in college and spent a summer as an intern for the Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown courtroom television shows in Los Angeles. Despite his medical impediments, Matt was so successful and well-liked that he was offered a permanent position as production assistant administra- tor, which he gladly accepted, even though it meant leav- ing his family and moving to California. "He was a very cre- ative, very exceptional young man," said Matt's father, Dr. Richard Colman of Bloomfield Hills. "He had a long, hard struggle, but he never complained. He was fearless. He loved his job and his job loved him back." After more than a year of waiting for a double-lung trans- plant, Matt was suddenly informed that a donor was available. With only 30 minutes to make the decision, Matt called his mother, told her he had decided to "go for it" and drove himself to the hospital. His family arrived on the next plane. Unfortunately, Matt devel- oped complications after the MATTHEW COLMAN on page 115