Hempfield's Eddie Coletta passes away

Eddie Coletta, whom the Hempfield community held a rally for earlier this week, died Friday morning, his family confirmed.

Coletta, 43, was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis, a rare disease impacting the heart, kidneys, liver and nerves, two weeks ago. The disease, which is caused by a bone marrow disorder, can lead to organ failure. Coletta was at UPMC Shadyside when he was told by doctors “basically all of his organs are failing or have failed,” his daughter Emma Coletta said earlier this week.

“My dad passed peacefully this morning surrounded by family,” Emma Coletta posted on the Facebook group Everyone’s 4 Eddie. “Thank you everybody for the outpouring of love and support. This thread was an amazing way for my dad to know how much everybody loves him, we read him every message.”

The group was started earlier this week by two family friends, and it quickly gained more than 1,600 members. On Friday, people posted their condolences to the Coletta family. Throughout the week, favorite memories and photos of Coletta were posted on the page, which were read to him by his family.

More than a hundred people gathered at Hempfield Area High School Wednesday evening to rally for Coletta. Members of the band played “Sweet Caroline,” a nod to Coletta’s love for the University of Pittsburgh, and cheerleaders chanted “Stay tough, Eddie, stay tough.” He was a 1995 Hempfield graduate.

Attired in formal uniforms, members of the Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department, where Coletta was a 20-year member, livestreamed the event to the Coletta family. At the end, friends, family and community members were able to show their support and say their final goodbyes.

Eddie Coletta leaves behind his wife, Rachel, and daughters, Emma, 18, and Carly Coletta, 13.

Funeral arrangements are not yet available.