A longtime Bayonne business family and benefactor received an honor from the city at the Jan. 21 city council meeting when a portion of Avenue J was renamed Coleman Way.
The council passed the ordinance by a unanimous 5-0 vote.
The Coleman family was the longtime owner of the International-Matex Tank Terminals, a storage facility for oil products and chemicals on Hook Road in the city.
The Colemans and IMTT have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the city and the Bayonne School District, most recently $50,000 to The Academy for Fine Arts and Academics at Bayonne High School.
The Coleman family has played a major role in the economic development of Bayonne for two decades.
In 2003, the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation and the city honored IMTT. The city declared Dec. 2 of that year IMTT-Coleman Family Day.
“In Bayonne, IMTT and the Coleman family have supported many educational, artistic, and charitable activities,” read a city proclamation signed by then Mayor Joseph Doria Jr.
IMTT co-sponsored the development of Halecky-IMTT Park with the city on the eastern side of town. The members of the Coleman family also have played prominent roles on the boards of numerous civic, business, and philanthropic organizations in Bayonne and the state.
But the Colemans’ biggest impact on the city may be in the hearts and minds of its public-school children.
According to Bayonne High School Principal Richard Baccarella, in the late 1980s, the family got involved with an Adopt a School program, “adopting” Bayonne High.
Family members came in each year since then to donate to projects and for school supplies. It was known as the “IMTT Wish List.” Teachers would request funding for specialty items, ones not usually covered in regular programs.
“They’re people of math and science, so they were fond of that stuff,” Baccarella said. “They’ve probably donated almost $500,000 since the program started.”
Their help would come in the form of high-quality calculators and other technology equipment.
The family wanted as many children as possible to benefit.
“The Coleman family has been a benefactor to the Bayonne High School community and has provided technology that would not normally be funded in the traditional budget process,” Baccarella said. “Their funding has greatly affected the lives of thousands of high school students.”
Above and beyond
The $50,000 academy donation, as well as another $30,000 for a special “21st century classroom,” are separate from the $500,000 figure.
IMTT has had a major presence in Bayonne for decades, with a plant on Hook Road that employs hundreds. IMTT is also the largest landowner in the city.
“Their funding has greatly affected the lives of thousands of high school students.” – BHS Principal Richard Baccarella
____________
IMTT still giving
The Colemans sold the remaining portion of the company last July, Bloomberg News reported. Family members relinquished major roles in the company.
The new owners have met with the high school to pledge their continued support, Baccarella said.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.