BANGOR and PRESQUE ISLE – Arnold Coffey, 87, died early Wednesday morning, June 30, 2010, surrounded by his loving family in Bangor. He was dearly loved by family and friends, and will be greatly missed by them all. He was born Dec. 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 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 Marine Corps. Arnold married Ruth Ellen Philbrook of Vanceboro, Oct. 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 lifelong 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, 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 No. 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, 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, Ore., and Irene Allen of Presque Isle; and 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, Texas, Peter and wife, Debbie, of Veazie, RuthEllen of Augusta and Juliet Freeman and husband, Leo, of Presque Isle. He is also survived by 13 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; 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 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Maine Chapter Alzheimer’s Association, 170 U.S. Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105 or Westgate Manor, Residential Unit – Activity Fund, 750 Union St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
ARNOLD COFFEY
