Politics & Government
Obituary: John Coolahan, 'Lion of Halethorpe'
John Coolahan, a former State Senator and District Court Judge, died Sunday. He was 80.
John Coolahan, known as "The Lion of Halethorpe," has died. He was 80.
The former State Senator and District Court Judge passed away Sunday at St. Agnes Hospital, according to The Sun.
According to his profile in the Maryland State Archives, Coolahan served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
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He was a member of the House of Delegates from 1967-1970, the Senate from 1971-1978, and 1983-1989. He also served as the chair of the Baltimore County Delegation in 1973, 1975, and 1983-1986.
In an interview with Patch in 2011, Coolahan said: “Why do you want to talk to me anyway? I did my job. I got paid for it."
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In the same interview, Arbutus attorney Manny Anello said of Coolahan: “He’s a straight shooter and very stubborn as a politician—a rare breed. You always knew where you stood.”
Coolahan attended Mount St. Joseph, Western Maryland College and the University of Baltimore Law School.
He is survived by his wife, Joanna, five children, 12 grandchildren and a great-grandson, according to The Sun.
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