John Colosimo

John Colosimo—husband, father, brother, grandfather, educator, coach, master of dry wit, and a man with no middle name—passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from complications associated with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 69.

John died as he lived: quietly, faithfully, and surrounded by love. His wife, Kathie, held vigil by his side through his final night. A crucifix and a rosary – a gift of faith from his father and a constant in his life – rested by his side.

John was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 25, 1955 to Gale and Connie Colosimo. He was the third of eight children and was raised in Magna, Utah. Growing up, he stocked shelves and cut meat at the family’s grocery store, the Standard Market. He played sports on every team he could, and he served as an altar boy at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

He attended Kearns-St. Ann Elementary, Judge Memorial Catholic High School, and the University of Utah, where he earned a degree in Communications. Later, he completed his master’s degree in Education from the University of Portland.

He began his 45 year career in education at Judge Memorial Catholic High School in 1974, first coaching while attending the University of Utah, later becoming a full-time math teacher, department chair, athletic director, and head football coach. It is there where he met the love of his life, Kathie.

Their love story began in the halls of Judge Memorial where the two, then teachers, often snuck off campus for secret lunch dates, and constantly interrupted the others’ class to plan their next adventure – high school sweethearts of a different kind. They were married on June 25, 1988 in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

John and Kathie brought three beautiful children into this world, Gianna, Julia and Gabriel – the “fab five” as the group text read. Their schedule revolved around their favorite season, football, with every person playing their own unique role. John coached, Gianna and Julia both cheerleaders, Gabe as a player, and Kathie running the clock – ensuring that home field was always an advantage.

To many, John walked a tightrope balancing the roles of the Eye of the Tiger head football coach with the endearing Vice Principal, but his family got to see a different side of him – the fun and playful side. John loved to turn mundane tasks into games that would captivate everyone’s attention. He would often turn the riveting act of washing all of the dishes into a race against the length of a popular song—Julia bargained for longer ballads to buy themselves time; they usually ended up with Jim Croce. 

In 1998, John helped launch the Skaggs Catholic Center and became the first academic Vice Principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School. John’s vision of integrating faith and academics helped shape the school’s curriculum and identity that lives on to this day. A legacy that resulted in the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2019.

Beyond his role as Vice Principal, John also served as the first head football coach. Under his leadership, Juan Diego became one of the most successful programs in Utah history: eight state championships, 17 region titles, and 18 straight postseason appearances. John carries the highest win percentage of any high school football coach in the state, and was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. Later that year, the school named their field after him, “John Colosimo Field at Soaring Eagle Stadium” – a well deserved tribute.

Despite his success, John remained humble. If you were to ask his former players what they remember most about playing for John, they wouldn’t mention the many state titles, they would talk about how he cared more about what kind of young men they were becoming, than what the stat sheet read on Friday night. 

Coach also established a number of traditions at Juan Diego, highlighted by the praying of a decade of the rosary after every game. Home or away, win or loss, rain or snow—he gathered the team, coaches, and families at the Grotto of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In those 10 Hail Marys he reminded them that football, like life, is about so much more than wins and losses. 

In that same Grotto, a Rosary will be held on Tuesday, July 15. A viewing will begin at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Juan Diego Catholic High School, 300 East 11800 South, Draper, followed by a Rosary at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 16 at 11:00 AM at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 East South Temple, Salt Lake City. Interment will follow at the Larkin Sunset Garden with a reception to follow at Juan Diego Catholic High School. All are welcome.

John is preceded in death by his father, Gale; his mother, Connie; his father-in-law, Ron Noble; his mother-in-law, Stella Noble; and his beloved nephew, Adam Colosimo. 

John is survived by his wife Kathie, and children Gianna, Julia Little (Brandon), and Gabe—who were the heartbeat of his world. He leaves behind one grandson, Miles, who brought so much joy in his final years; and seven siblings Roseanne Webber (Jerry), Nancy Gibbs (Dan), Galey (Beth), Paul (Sara), Mary Markosian (Jim), Larry (Jean), and Joe (Lori). He is admired by dozens of nieces, nephews, former players, students, and friends—each with their own “Coach John” story.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the newly established John Colosimo Memorial Endowment that will provide financial support to Juan Diego Catholic High School and Judge Memorial Catholic High School students in need – two schools dear to John’s heart. Donations can be made online at https://dioslc.org/endowment-705

Before every football game, John gathered his team, and made them make a promise – a tradition he brought with him from his days at Judge Memorial. The promise was to “Fight, until you can’t fight no more. To lay down, bleed a while, get up and fight some more.” John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012 where his long and grueling fight began. For the last 13 years, John received exceptional care from countless doctors, hospitals, nurses and care units to whom we cannot thank enough. All of which can attest that to his dying day John kept his promise – to fight, until he couldn’t fight no more.