Martin James Coffey

LOUDONVILLE - Martin James Coffey entered into eternal peace at St. Peter's Hospital on Sunday, November 13, 2022, surrounded by family and enveloped with love and prayers for his peace. Martin is survived by many cousins dispersed throughout England, Ireland, Italy and the United States (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, and California). All are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Martin's father's eight and mother's six brothers and sisters.
Born on October 14, 1944, in Brooklyn, Martin was the son of the late Helen (nee Blaney) and Thomas Coffey; and the grandson of Rose (nee Montgomery) and James Blaney of Frosses, County Donegal, Ireland, and Sarah (nee Flynn) and Martin Coffey of Moore, County Roscommon, Ireland. Martin was predeceased by his infant brother, Thomas, and loving sisters, Helen Coffey and Sister Rosemary Coffey.
Martin, a licensed psychologist in New York State, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Michael's College/the College of Santa Fe in 1966, his M.Ed. from Tulane University in 1968, and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama in 1970. Thereafter, Martin was appointed to the faculty of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pa., and joined the State University of New York at Albany as a psychologist, where he remained until he was granted emeritus status upon his retirement in 1995. At that time, Martin began a second remarkably fulfilling career with New York State United Teachers, ultimately serving as the organization's director of staff (Labor Relations) until his retirement in 2011. Martin was president of the Psychological Association of Northeastern New York, as well as the executive director of the New York State Psychological Association.
Martin was a man of deep faith, and lived his life accordingly since his 1944 baptism at St. Theresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Martin's credited his faith journey to his family, starting with his parents, as well as his education by members of the Redemptorist Congregation, the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Vincentians, the Lasallian Christian Brothers, the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), and the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Martin was a seminarian of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), Eastern Province, and enjoyed continued membership and involvement through the province's digests, Alumni Association gatherings, and ordination anniversary celebrations. Until recently, Martin shared his time between Albany and West Palm Beach. Since 1976, Martin was a parishioner in St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church in Loudonville, where he was a eucharistic minister. When in Florida, Martin was a parishioner at St. Ignatius Loyola Cathedral in Palm Beach Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested and may be made in Martin's memory to "The Melodies Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Disorders," at Albany Medical Center Foundation, 43 New Scotland Avenue, MC119, Albany, NY, 12208.
May Martin rest in peace.
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