Arnold Coffey
Coffey, Arnold, 87, BANGOR & PRESQUE ISLE, in Bangor, June 30, 2010. A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 13, 2010, at 1 p.m. at the Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Augusta. Arrangements in the care of Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, Bangor.
BANGOR & PRESQUE ISLE – Arnold Coffey, 87, died early Wednesday morning, June 30, 2010, in Bangor, surrounded by his loving family. He was dearly loved by family and friends, and will be greatly missed by them all. He was born on December 16, 1922, in Presque Isle, son of Ernest and Eva (Erskine) Coffey.
Arnold grew up in Presque Isle, and graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1941. He attended the University of Maine where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, played trumpet in the university band, sang baritone in the double quartet, and lettered in tennis. He joined the U. S. Marine Corps in 1945, and served in the Intelligence Division of the 5th Marines 1st Division 2nd Expeditionary Force in China; he was honorably discharged after two years at the rank of sergeant. He lived his life proud to have been a member of the USMC.
Arnold married Ruth Ellen Philbrook of Vanceboro on October 18, 1944, and they lived in Presque Isle where he became a successful and highly respected potato grower and shipper. He and his wife raised seven children, all of whom were actively involved in helping on the farm. He was known for his strong work ethic, honesty, fairness, and dry sense of humor.
Arnold was a life-long learner. He had an insatiable hunger for knowledge, was a voracious reader – especially in philosophy, religion, and psychology, and he appreciated music from all genres – from Janis Joplin to Bach. In retirement, he took classes at Bangor Theological Seminary. Arnold instilled this love of learning in his children, successfully encouraging all of them to obtain college degrees.
He was an active member of Grant Memorial Methodist Church in Presque Isle, where he sang in the choir, and taught high school and adult Sunday school classes for many years. He was a charter member of Boy Scout Troop #171, and later served as Scout leader of that troop.
After retiring from farming in 1981, he and Ruth moved to Bangor where he worked for years as a private contractor for Doug’s Shop ‘n Save/ Hannaford Brothers. He was known as “the guy who could fix anything.” As a member of First United Methodist Church in Bangor, he served in many capacities on both the local and conference levels. In retirement, he thoroughly enjoyed working in his large garden and sharing the bounty with family, friends, and neighbors; teaching his grandchildren how to use tools; and making furniture for all family members and for close family friends. His work is a legacy to our family that will live and be passed down for generations to come.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Coffey of Bangor; sisters, Shirley Prince of Eugene, Oregon, and Irene Allen of Presque Isle; his seven children: David and his partner Susan Rafferty of Foxboro, Mass, Dan and wife Nancy (Towle) of Holden, Dianne Coffey of South Burlington, VT, James and wife JoAnn of San Antonio, TX, Peter and wife Debbie of Veazie, RuthEllen of Augusta, and Juliet Freeman and husband Leo of Presque Isle. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Timothy Coffey, Kristin Coffey Canders and husband John, Daniel Coffey and wife Stephanie, Scott Brown and wife Bianca Deeb, Todd Arnold Brown, Jeremy Coffey, Aaron Coffey, Jared Coffey, Abigail Coffey, Evan Coffey, Jon Michael St. Peter, Marc Arnold Coffey, and Eric Freeman; four great-grandchildren: Lily Canders, Caleb Canders, Chase Coffey, and Amelia Brown; and several nieces and nephews.
Arnold was predeceased by his beloved son-in-law, Larry St. Peter.
The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Westgate Manor Residential Care for their constant loving care of Arnold. He “adopted” them all as his extended family.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 13, 2010, at 1 p.m. at the Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Augusta. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Maine Chapter Alzheimer’s Association, 170 US Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105; or to Westgate Manor, Residential Unit – Activity Fund, 750 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
