Family-Placed ObituaryGREGORY LAWRENCE COLER Gregory Lawrence Coler passed away on March 3, 2010, at his home in West Palm Beach, FL, as the result of a stroke at the age of 65. Greg was a tenacious advocate for children and worked to reform government programs to better serve those in need. He began his career in 1968 as Executive Director of The City, Inc., a drop-in center for disadvantaged teenagers in Minneapolis, MN. In the 1970's he served as the Executive Director for the National Council of Organizations for Children and Youth in Washington, DC, and later as Associate Commissioner for the New York State Department of Social Services in Albany, NY. In 1979 Greg was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services by Governor James R. Thompson, and received the 1985 Commissioner's Award from the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect for reforming the state's manual child abuse tracking system. He later served as Director of the Illinois Department of Public Aid. In 1987 Florida Governor Bob Martinez appointed Greg as Secretary of the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. During his years of state government service Greg championed many innovative social programs such as One Church, One Child which was recognized by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government's Innovations in American Government Award. Greg continued to be involved in charitable organizations while working in the private sector as a lobbyist and consultant. He served as an Honorary Founding Director of the Ounce of Prevention Fund and on the Board of Directors of SOS Children's Villages Illinois, an organization providing a viable alternative to traditional foster care. Greg was born and raised in St. Paul, MN. He attended Cretin High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota. Greg loved to travel and always enjoyed sharing a good meal and raising his glass in celebration of the vine with family and friends. He will be deeply missed and is survived by three daughters - Kate Coler, Kristen Coler Challacombe and Caroline Coler, - his son-in-law Jared Challacombe, his sister Susan Coler, BVM (Sisters of Charity, BVM), brother and sister-in-law Paul and Sara Coler, their children Sam and Emily Coler, and a multitude of loyal and loving friends. A memorial service will be held on April 10, 2010, at the Resurrection Cemetery Chapel in St. Paul, MN. For more information, please contact a family member. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries