Brunswick- Michael A. “Mike” Coffey, 87, formerly of Poestenkill and a resident of Brunswick since 1965, died peacefully, Saturday, February 13, 2016, with his family by his side at his home following a short illness.
Born in Troy, August 26, 1928, and raised in Poestenkill, Mike was the son of the late Michael J. and Blanche (Champane) Coffey and the step-son of Marcia Coffey of Troy, who survives.
As a young boy, he attended Troy City Schools and later Troy High School.
On February 11, 1946, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Randolph, earning the rank of Fireman First Class. At the conclusion of World War II, Mike was honorably discharged on December 9, 1947.
Upon returning home from the service, he was immediately employed in late 1947 as a machine operator at the General Electric Co. in Schenectady. In 1963 he accepted a position as a burner service technician and supervisor with the former Sinclair Refinery in North Colonie. From 1973 until retiring in 1985 he was employed as a school bus driver by the North Colonie Central School District. Mike was always a detail oriented man who enjoyed the hobbies of woodworking and tinkering with machines. Unsatisfied with retirement, he put his hobbies to use and established his own home-based business, Mike A. Coffey Sharpening Service in Brunswick. He enjoyed running his business for many years, making new friends and helping neighbors with his skills and knowledge of saw blade sharpening and repairs.
Mr. Coffey is survived by his special friend and companion of many years, Noreen “Rene” Carroll of Brunswick, three daughters and sons-in-law, Donna (Gary) Callahan of East Nassau, Linda (Mark) Gunther, and Bonnie (Fred) O’Donnell of Poestenkill, two step-brothers, Donald Coffey of Troy and John (Andrea) Coffey of Georgia, three step sisters, Jeanne (Paul) McKeon and Margaret (Anthony) Barbuto, both of Troy, and Irma (Robert) Liburdi of Texas, four grandchildren, Karla (Chris) Sullivan, Katie Gunther, Erin O’Donnell, and Brendon O’Donnell, a great-grandson, Nicholas Panagopoulous, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service for Mr. Coffey will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown. Burial with military honors will follow at noon at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 16th, from 4:00-6:00 P.M.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Sullivan-Jones V.F.W. Post, 7466 Veterans Way, Poestenkill, NY 12144, in memory of Michael A. Coffey.
Born in Troy, August 26, 1928, and raised in Poestenkill, Mike was the son of the late Michael J. and Blanche (Champane) Coffey and the step-son of Marcia Coffey of Troy, who survives.
As a young boy, he attended Troy City Schools and later Troy High School.
On February 11, 1946, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Randolph, earning the rank of Fireman First Class. At the conclusion of World War II, Mike was honorably discharged on December 9, 1947.
Upon returning home from the service, he was immediately employed in late 1947 as a machine operator at the General Electric Co. in Schenectady. In 1963 he accepted a position as a burner service technician and supervisor with the former Sinclair Refinery in North Colonie. From 1973 until retiring in 1985 he was employed as a school bus driver by the North Colonie Central School District. Mike was always a detail oriented man who enjoyed the hobbies of woodworking and tinkering with machines. Unsatisfied with retirement, he put his hobbies to use and established his own home-based business, Mike A. Coffey Sharpening Service in Brunswick. He enjoyed running his business for many years, making new friends and helping neighbors with his skills and knowledge of saw blade sharpening and repairs.
Mr. Coffey is survived by his special friend and companion of many years, Noreen “Rene” Carroll of Brunswick, three daughters and sons-in-law, Donna (Gary) Callahan of East Nassau, Linda (Mark) Gunther, and Bonnie (Fred) O’Donnell of Poestenkill, two step-brothers, Donald Coffey of Troy and John (Andrea) Coffey of Georgia, three step sisters, Jeanne (Paul) McKeon and Margaret (Anthony) Barbuto, both of Troy, and Irma (Robert) Liburdi of Texas, four grandchildren, Karla (Chris) Sullivan, Katie Gunther, Erin O’Donnell, and Brendon O’Donnell, a great-grandson, Nicholas Panagopoulous, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service for Mr. Coffey will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown. Burial with military honors will follow at noon at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 16th, from 4:00-6:00 P.M.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Sullivan-Jones V.F.W. Post, 7466 Veterans Way, Poestenkill, NY 12144, in memory of Michael A. Coffey.