Joseph A. Coll | Lawyer, 55

Joseph A. Coll, 55, of Drexel Hill, a lawyer and youth-sports coach, died of melanoma Monday at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Mr. Coll grew up with seven older siblings in Havertown, and graduated from Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Delaware County, where he met his future wife, Beth McCarthy. He earned a bachelor's degree from Villanova University, and graduated from Dickinson Law School in Carlisle, Pa.

For 31 years, Mr. Coll was a lawyer with the accounting firm Ernst & Young. His specialty was international tax law. He also taught tax law in a master's program at Widener University.

When his two children were growing up, he coached for 10 years with the Llanerch Hills Baseball and Softball Association, and was a coach and administrator for the Catholic Youth Organization sports program at St. Bernadette's Church in Drexel Hill.

An enthusiastic golfer, Mr. Coll served on the board of the Llanerch Country Club in Haverford Township. He also was on the board of Haverford's Manoa Fire Company.

He and his wife enjoyed time with their family in Ocean City, N.J., where they had a vacation home.

In addition to his wife of 32 years, Mr. Coll is survived by a son, Andrew; a daughter, Laura; two grandchildren; two brothers; and four sisters.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today and 8 to 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Stretch Funeral Home, 236 E. Eagle Rd., Havertown. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at St. Bernadette's Church, 1035 Turner Ave., Drexel Hill. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.