Gregory J. Coenen

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Marquette University

Gregory Coenen Obituary

COENEN, GREGORY J., of Glastonbury, CT. Age 58. Found peace with the Lord on June 23, 2008 after a courageous and spiritual journey with cancer.

He was loving father of Tom Coenen and Tim (Ann) Coenen, and proud grandfather to Aaron Gregory Coenen (born May 7, 2008), all of Chicago. Greg was preceded in death by his wife Margaret 'Peg' Coenen (nee Morrison) who died January 12, 2005. Greg is also survived by Marie Hersman of Dover, NH, whose love and wisdom helped make Greg's life complete during recent years.

Greg played a significant part in creating New England USA, a regional tourism bureau, and Heritage Harbor, a planned state history museum for Rhode Island. He directed the New London (CT) Development Corporation, a planning and economic development agency, and served as a consultant to a number of other projects in the fields of economic development and tourism.

The family respectfully requests that memorials be made to the Gregory J. Coenen Family Foundation, a charitable trust founded in honor of Greg and Peg, in care of Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral & Cremation Services 10121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Sunday, June 29, at St. Dunstan's Catholic Church, 1345 Manchester Rd., Glastonbury, CT 06033.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Providence Journal on Jun. 26, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Coenen

12 Entries

Cindy Schmidlin Taupin

July 7, 2008

Some people make an imprint on your life without you even knowing it. That's how I feel about Greg. As classmates in high school and during freshman year at M.U., he offered friendship and lent a hand when it was not expected. Greg was, even then, an essentially kind and perceptive person, and most importantly, someone who acted on his perceptions. He made a difference.

Darrell & Kathy Stumpf

June 30, 2008

Tim & Tom

Upon returning from vacation we were shocked by a phone message from an uncle about your Dad. We will miss him the same as we still do your mother. Your dad's story telling ability and sense of humor brings a grin and many good memories as I'm writing.

Our deepest sympathies and condolences. I'm so fortunate to have known him and call him a friend.

Our prayers are with you and your families.

Vida Turek

June 26, 2008

We were lucky enough to be Greg's friend and neighbor in South Glastonbury, CT. We shared many tasty steaks and Greg's famous margaritas on our back decks at South Mill Village. We also got to have dinner together in Buenos Aires while visiting Argentina at the same time. Greg's longest lasting legacy will be the two wonderful sons that survive him. He rarely failed to express his love and pride for his family. What a blessing that he got to meet his grandson. Greg will be missed and never forgotten. Our deepest sympathy to his entire family.
Curt and Vida

Zenobia Penn

June 26, 2008

I came to work with the New London Development Corporation in 2000 with Employ New London and had the pleasure of working with Greg for only a brief time. Since the retirement of the Admiral, it was in working closer with Greg and gaining his support of the House New London first-time homeownership training program that he became instrumental in the transition of the program from NLDC to OIC of New London County where it continues to grow. His timely vision has not only helped our community sustain a valuable adult training opportunity, but without it, we would not be able to meet the demands of yet a greater service with the current Financial Literacy and Homeownership Training Program of OIC of New London County.

New London thanks you.

Donald Deignan

June 26, 2008

Dear Coenen Family: I would like to express my deepest sympathy to all of you. For many years, Greg and I were colleagues on the Heritage Harbor Museum project. He was instrumental in bringing the Museum through a very difficult period. For that, and for his good humor and friendship, I will always be grateful. Please know that you and he will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Don Deignan

Jeanie Stahl White Oak Associates

June 26, 2008

My husband and I met Greg many years ago through the Heritage Harbor project he was working on in Providence, RI. We came to know him as a business colleague whom we very much liked and respected for his optimism and realism, his creativity and economic groundedness (both not easy combinations), his good nature and his sense of collaboration. He will be missed in many ways, but his dedicated involvement with the Heritage Harbor project will not be forgotten.

Mary Ann Scott Kretowicz

June 25, 2008

As friends of Peg from high school and beyond, Greg always brought smiles to our faces. We can still see him walking through the MU Student Union. While we mourn his loss, we are also grateful for having known him. A man with such strong beliefs and grace is truly a loss. Renee Humpage in Cleveland and I will keep you in our prayers.

Darlene and Steve Bates

June 25, 2008

Wishing you all the best as you embark on the next phase of your journey.

We often wonder how things would have differed if, on that night outside Chicago, we had chosen to turn right and head to Woodstock with you instead of turn left and back to Wisconsin.

C Watson

June 25, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Robin Jansen-Mead

June 25, 2008

To my beloved Coenan, Strohbusch, etc., family. I can remember watching family videos with Beth and Steve during my time in the Milwaukee area, and thinking how blessed their family was, to have such love and laughter, such grace and kindness. The peace, yet sadness of Greg's death traveled to the coast of SC...where just the morning of his passing, I was walking the beach, talking with God about the list of questions I had for Him when I get to Heaven. Taking this wonderful man at such a young age will be amongst the list. There is but one thing I am absolutely certain of in our life here on Earth : When God closes a door, He opens a window.....
Special love to Beth, Strobie, Maria, John and Will....

Robin Jansen-Mead, Bob Mead,
Jane Jansen and Olivia Jansen

Peg Miller

June 25, 2008

To the entire Coenen Family - from Clyde, to Aaron...

Our family has been blessed by being "part" of your family for years and years. When I think of the Coenens, and, particularly now, of Greg, I think of compassion, caring, kindness, thoughtfulness....the list goes on and on, and it's all positive.

I couldn't agree more with something another friend shared, above, about the gentle nature with which Greg undertook everything he did, and his contagious smile.

He will be mourned by many, but each of us will carry with us the memory of a magnificent man.

Much love,

Peg and Mike Miller, and Family

Rob and Joan Riordan

June 25, 2008

Greg, thank you for being a wonderful friend.

You lived the Triple Crown of love, respect and dignity. Even when telling the funniest of stories, it was with a sense of humor always marked with gentleness. Whenever you had that smile going, it made us smile too . . . which seemed to be all the time.

In addition to all the great memories, you have gifted us with a great model for being a loving and supportive spouse and parent. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

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