John A. Coad, 76, of Rockford passed away Thursday, May 8, 2014 in his home. He was born September 22, 1937, in Rockford, the son of Edwin and Mildred (Leonard) Coad. John was a veteran of the United States Army serving in the Korean War.
He married Sandra Morgan in 1988 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Later in his life, John owned the Rockford bar and restaurant, “Reverbs” on West State St., next to the old Dog ‘n Suds drive-in, across from Ingersoll Golf Course. He was also a “jack of all trades,” always helping people with all sorts of services. He was willing to help anyone, any way he could. John loved NASCAR racing.
The Coad Family would like to give a special thank you to VNA Hospice, the ICU and 4th floor step down unit at Rockford Memorial Hospital and to Jennifer, his caregiver, for their kindness in caring for John.
Survived by his wife, Sandra; children, John Jr. (Joyce), Dwight, Edwin (Peggy), Terrance and Michelle (Michael); grandchildren, Heather, Angel, Tommy, Brittany, Robert, Winterann and Rion and brother, William “Skip” (Terry) Coad. Predeceased by his parents, and brother, Terrence.
Funeral service will be at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2014 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 North Rockton Avenue. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home.
There will be a Gathering after the service at The Image Restaurant and Lounge, 5524 Auburn St. in Rockford. That’s 1 block west of Springfield and Auburn.
To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.
More Sad News.
Johnny Coad, age mid 70’s, died at his home yesterday, May 8th. He’s the brother our good friend and classmate, William “Skip” Coad.
Skip is the one I affectionately refer to as “Our Marine who guards the West Coast.” Johnny Coad is the one I affectionately refer to as the guy who gave us kids thrills and chills throughout our neighborhood with his daredevil driving in the 50’s and early 60’s. Think of Robert Mitchum in “Thunder Road.” Well, that was Johnny Coad, minus the moonshine.
Bar Room Balladeer. Hot Rod Criuser. Old Friend.
Terry Coad, Skip Coad, Johnny Coad. Singing at The Image bar on Auburn St. west of Springfield
Whoa. Check out the name of this singer. Johnny Bond. Or is it really Johnny Coad from Bond Ave.? You figure it out.
You could hear him blocks away.
Vroom. Vroom. Vroom. First you’d hear the engine revving up blocks away. Next you’d hear the squealing of tires turning. Then you’d smell the rubber burning.
He’d start out at 1410 Bond Ave. spitting gravel and burning rubber, then making a sharp turn onto the straightaway known as Liberty Drive flying low to the ground, all the way to Carbaugh Ave. There he’d spin around and do a couple donuts and fly low back home. His mufflers growling, tires squealing, and gears a-shifting. We’d get out of his way ‘cuz he was the older, cool car guy who “ran” the streets of our neighborhood. At least that’s what he told us.
Dick Lozdoski, Clay Bowman or Jim Burt might have disagreed but we didn’t argue because we were just kids, still riding bikes.
I know for sure my mother had a direct line to the Sheriff’s office to report these HOT ROD LINCOLN drivers. By the time they’d show up all the tire smoke was gone but the pungent smell of burning rubber still lingered in the air. We knew Johnny had won the race back to his secret garage, hidden from outsiders.
Several years later Johnny passed the crown of the older, cool car guy in the neighborhood to his baby brother Bill, now known as “Skip.” At least that’s what he told us.
Hey, it was a different time and they were great days. Nobody got shot. Maybe a little punch in the stomach or a slap upside the head settled any disagreement. Maybe a busted tooth or dislocated jaw. Or your plug wires might get rearranged while you slept. Things were much simpler way back then.
Once upon a time we heard Johnny went to Hollywood for a screentest, whatever that was. This morning a friend found this old movie and told me Johnny had a bit part in it. He was billed as “Buzz” or “Biff” or maybe “Johnny.” You be the judge and let me know if you can find him.
Yes, those were the days and “Johnny Cool” will live on in my memory. That’s who I’ll think of the next time I hear a car burning rubber or I see a cloud of blue smoke.
A month ago Skip came home to see his brother and I went with him. It was good to see Johnny. It had been 10 years for me. You know it’s true when someone says, “We only see our oldest friends at weddings and funerals. Well, I don’t do weddings so I see them at funerals and it’s too bad when it’s theirs.
Rest in Peace, Johnny. Rest in Peace.
I’ll put up funeral and visitation information when it’s released.
PS….Hey Chuck and Mary. Let me know if I’ve misplaced any commas.
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