Obituary of Eugene J. Coffey

Eugene J. Coffey passed away suddenly in his home just weeks after the celebration with family and friends of his 90th Birthday. Gene was a World War II veteran, serving in the Army Air Corps in the European Theatre of Operation. He participated in the D-Day invasion. Upon his return from service, Gene married Beatrice M. Battle, his wife of 61 years who predeceased him in 2007. Gene was employed by New York Telephone Company for 40 years; he retired in 1985. Gene was a long-time member of the National Ski Patrol at Labrador Mountain in Truxton, NY, With his wife, he enjoyed dancing and travel, first to domestic destinations and later to Hawaii, Ireland and St. Thomas. They spent retirement years with annual trips to Sanibel Island, Fl. Gene is survived by his six children: Anne M. Coffey of McLean, Virginia; Barbara J. Coffey of Syracuse; Peter (Becky) Coffey of Madison, CT, Kathleen (Gary) Fink of Bergen, NY; Paul (Karen) Coffey of Craig, AK; Richard (Ellen) Coffey of W. Hartford, CT. He enjoyed the company of thirteen grandchildren: Sarah (Timothy) Fleming Ferlito, Jessie (Nicholas) Buecheler, Nora Fleming, Nathaniel (Rachel) Fleming, Lucas (Joy) Fink, Andrew P. Fink, Kyle (Christine) Fink, Erin Coffey, Theresa Coffey, Glenna Coffey, Daniel Coffey, Cecelia Coffey,and Shana Coffey;and great-grandchildren, Tobias, Malaki, Mischa and Westley Buecheler; Nathaniel and Emily Fink; Nolan and Jarrett Fink; Michael Finnegan Fleming Ferlito and Liam Fleming. Calling hours will be Friday afternoon, 4-7 p.m. at the Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral home, 3111 James Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1030 a.m. Saturday at St Vincent de Paul Church, 342 Vine Street, Syracuse with interment thereafter at St. Mary's Cemetery, Dewitt. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Diabetes Association.