John P. Coen

John P. Coen DEDHAM Formerly of Brighton and Galway, Ireland passed away peacefully surrounded by his dear family on Monday, October 20, 2008. John leaves his wife of 56 years, Mary T. (Larkin) Coen. They began their journey together in Galway, Ireland as teenagers; John first emigrating from Ireland to America then Mary following him a few years later. They were married in Montreal, Canada and after the first four children were born, they moved to the United States. There, they made Brighton, MA their home for 30 years. When John retired they moved to Dedham, Ma and have lived there ever since. John leaves eight children and their spouses. They are John T. of Dedham, Patrick and his wife Maureen of Norwood, Marion McAlister and her husband Gerry of Dedham, Barbara Dupre and her late husband Aynsley of Walpole, James and his wife Karen of Lexington, William and his wife Joann of Brighton, Eileen of Dedham and Steven and his wife Gina of Needham. He also leaves his 21 grandchildren. John enjoyed the grandchildren in his retirement and they affectionately called him "Pops". They are Michael Coen of Scituate; Chris, Erin and Caitie Coen of Norwood; Kayla, Cory, Aine and Siobhan McAlister of Dedham; Derek and Danielle Dupre of Walpole; Scott, Alexandra, Dean, Andrew and Samantha Coen of Lexington; Sean, Brian, Eric and Sara Coen of Brighton; and James and Ryan Coen of Needham. John is the brother of Padraic of Cork, Ireland and Martin Coen and Molly Murphy of County Galway, Ireland. He was predeceased by William Joseph Coen of County Galway, Ireland; Dilly Roche of County Galway, Ireland; and Peggy Glynn of Toronto, Canada. John was the son of the late John and Nora (Glynn)Coen also of County Galway. John worked for Harvard University for thirty years. He and his wife Mary also own homes in Scituate, MA and Dunedin, Florida. Some of John's happiest times were spent with Mary working on their properties and walking the beaches close to their homes in Scituate and Dunedin. John, with Mary, also returned to Ireland many times over the years, often with their children and, in later years, with their grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of hard work, deep faith, and commitment to family. Funeral from the George F. Doherty and Sons Wilson- Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St. Dedham Friday at 8 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, Dedham at 9 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Thursday from 4-8 PM. Interment, in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. Donations in John's memory may be made to VNA Care Hospice, 5 Federal St. Danvers, MA 01923. For directions and guestbook www.gfdoherty.com George F. Doherty & Sons Dedham 781 326 0500