James Patrick "Pat" Coll

James Patrick “Pat” Coll of Fort Lauderdale, FL died on the morning of Tuesday, October 31, 2017.   Pat passed comfortably, surrounded by family.  He lived a vigorous 72 years on this earth.  He is survived by his four siblings, Marlene Neff, Thomas Coll, Judith Muir and Earleen Virga; his brothers-in-law Herbert Neff, Joseph Muir and Virgil Virga; and his 14 nieces and nephews.  Pat was born on February 25, 1945 in Pittsburgh, PA to Alice and Vincent “Earl” Coll.  As the fourth of five children, Pat made it a point from the beginning to stand out from the crowd.  He was blessed with a unique and incredibly endearing wit and charm that would be on constant display throughout his life. In 1953, the family moved from Pittsburgh to Miami, FL where Pat’s father, Earl, worked on the television production of The Jackie Gleason Show in Miami Beach.  Earl was a pioneer in South Florida stage and screen production – a legacy Pat would eventually carry on. Pat started his college career in 1964, when he enrolled at Miami Dade Junior College.  While there, he became the Sports Editor for the school’s “Falcon Times.”  Pat then pursued his education at The University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Art’s degree in 1968.  Upon graduation, Pat taught journalism and public relations at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi.  In 1972, he worked for the Leflore County School District as a Consulting Editorial Director where he produced numerous publications advocating for the District.  In 1975, Pat relocated back to Miami, FL where he became a Contributing Editor for the “South Florida Today” magazine.  Soon after his return to South Florida, Pat made a career change that would define the rest of his professional life and make an indelible impact on stage and film production in South Florida for the next 40 years.  In 1976, Pat joined the local chapters of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Union (the IATSE Local 477 for screen and the 500 for stage).  He learned all aspects of the business and advanced his career quickly by taking on more creative, complex and challenging roles.  He worked on thousands of stage shows, commercials and movies, including such well-known classics as, Caddyshack, Parenthood, Porky’s, The Goodbye Girl and Hardly Working. In 2003, after 27 years of working in the local IATSE unions, Pat was appointed to the position of Assistant Business Agent for the Local 500, a high-profile role where he negotiated contracts and booked jobs on behalf of the stagehands’ union.  In 2006, his peers elected him President of the Local 500.  As President, he was responsible for overseeing the local chapter’s operations and representing their interests at the IATSE International level.  He was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.  In Pat’s spare time, he enjoyed writing, reading, fishing, collecting movie memorabilia and watching classic films.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his beloved Labrador retrievers. Pat will be most remembered and respected for his devotion to his family.  He adored his parents, Alice and Earl.  He remained extraordinarily close with his brother and sisters throughout his life - even into his final hours - and he loved and treated their children as his own.  He was a constant fixture at family gatherings and events.  Never one to stand on ceremony, his enduring presence revealed a sincere desire to spend time with his family.  It is clear what made Pat happiest was using that special wit and charm to bring light into the lives of his loved ones.  To honor Pat’s wishes, no formal ceremonies have been scheduled.  The family will gather for a private memorial.