John Colosimo: a life of faith, family and football

Friday, Aug. 01, 2025

SALT  LAKE CITY — John Colosimo, 69, beloved former Juan Diego Catholic High School vice principal and head football coach, died on July 9 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. On July 16, Monsignor Joseph M. Mayo celebrated his funeral Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Concelebrants were Bishop Oscar A. Solis; Father John Evans, vicar general; Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general emeritus; Father Kenneth Vialpando, vicar for clergy; Father Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral; and many priests of the diocese. Assisting were Deacon John Kranz, chancellor; Deacon Scott Dodge and Deacon Lynn Johnson.

“Today is a celebration of faith and the gratitude of a life well lived,” Msgr. Mayo said in his homily. “It’s the honor of husband, brother and friend to so many. John was someone who has been close to us and good to us for all these many years, and he will always be regarded as a unique treasure and a living legend, not only in this faith community but also in the sports world.” 

Although he was an unassuming man who preferred to remain in the background, “John would light up every room he walked into,” Msgr. Mayo said. “He would always welcome the stranger and easily made enduring friendships with so many, whether at work or just relaxing at the center of everything in his life. ... We will miss his wit and gentle smile and laughter as he greeted so many of us each time that we were able to spend time with him, whether it was in the classroom, the basketball court, the football field, or social and family gatherings.”

Colosimo’s “life is now complete; the journey is over,” Msgr. Mayo said. “He has now been born again into the everlasting life of the Kingdom of Heaven promised by our Lord Jesus Christ on the day of his own baptism. John is with Christ, and he will care for him. He is in a place of ultimate forgiveness and love. John is finally in the eternal presence of Christ, where pain and sorrow are no more, neither sighing nor weeping, but life eternal. His journey of salvation and his journey of life are now complete, and we have the beauty of remembering the most endearing ways that John touched our lives.” 

“John’s life reminds us always that life may be difficult and at times very lonely, but definitely worth living,” he continued. “The Lord, of course, did not give John the benefit of a long life as we would have wished, but the years he did give him will live on in many memories that we hold dear to our hearts today.” 

A vigil was held the previous evening at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, followed by a rosary at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Grotto on the Skaggs Catholic Center campus. Colosimo’s three children, Gianna, Julia and Gabriel, then offered tributes to their father.

His daughter Gianna spoke of his love for his family.

“He loved being your brother and took so much pride in being a Colosimo,” she told his siblings. She added that of all his roles, “Grandpa was his favorite.”

“The day Miles was born, he found a Rose Bowl sweatshirt to wear to the hospital, ‘Granddaddy of them all,’ proudly written across his chest,” she said.

Julia shared a story of her father’s selflessness, recalling how he once gave his new shoes, which had been given to him by his wife Kathie, to a team member in need. “That was our dad: kindness without an announcement, sacrifice without complaint,” she said.

Gabe Colosimo recounted stories from his father’s coaching career, including one memorable season where, after a tough loss, John had a Phoenix sewn onto every player’s jersey. That team went on to win a state championship with a “Hail Mary as time expired.” 

He also recalled his father’s pre-game tradition: “The team would repeat after him, saying ‘We’ll fight until we can’t fight no more.’ Our father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012 and from that moment on, his own fight began.”

“On July 9, the Colosimo family lost our starting linebacker,” he said. “Our ask from all of you here, his friends, family, teammates, players and former coaches, is to rise to the occasion and help us fill that role,” he concluded. “How you do so is by continuing to tell the stories that made John Colosimo the man he was.”

Colosimo is survived by his wife Kathie, children Gianna, Julia Little (Brandon) and Gabe; grandson Miles; and seven siblings. He was laid to rest at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Salt Lake City.