Edward C. Coffey

Edward Charles "Ed" Coffey, 83, of Hendersonville, NC, passed peacefully from this life on February 25, 2026, at Carolina Reserve of Hendersonville.
Born in Rockville Centre, New York, on May 15,1942, to John Joseph, Jr. and Ann Sweeney Coffey. When Ed was young his family relocated to Wilmette, IL where he spent his childhood and there became a devoted and lifelong Cubs fan. An ROTC Scholar, Ed graduated from Villanova University in 1964. He was commissioned in the US Navy, where he started Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. In 1965, he was deployed as Navigator to the Western Pacific on the USS Edson. In 1966, having returned from a tour of duty, he married his first love, Joan Lueder.
In 1967, Ed was deployed on the USS Kraus to the Mediterranean during the Six Day War. The next year, Ed's orders sent him to Halifax, Nova Scotia at Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare School where he was an instructor. He stayed there until his discharge in 1970.
In that same year, Ed started law school at Cornell University. After passing the Wisconsin Bar, Ed joined Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren & Norris Law Firm in Milwaukee, WI. Over the next two decades, Ed was house counsel and corporate executive for Extel, Highline, and Universal companies.
In 2006, Ed, with great joy in his heart, married Mary Hudachek in The Woodlands, Texas. In 2011 Ed and Mary chose the mountains of western North Carolina to be their home. Together they enjoyed long walks, concerts at Brevard Music Center and other venues, and memorable trips to various countries. It was said that Ed had seen the world but found his place in Hendersonville with his wife of over 19 years.
Ed was both an avid golfer and marathon runner. He was a devout Catholic and was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hendersonville. Ed served as a Eucharist Minister for many years. For 13 years, Ed served Four Seasons Hospice focusing on hospice patient visits as well as volunteering at many Four Seasons events. Loved by so many that he served, Ed was honored with the "Heart of Service" Award for his years of volunteering with Four Seasons Hospice. Those who knew him will never forget his kindness, generous and warm spirit, his compassion for others, his honorable character, and his wit.
In addition to his first wife, Joan, Ed was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ann Coffey and brother-in-law Francis Murray.
Ed will be deeply missed and affectionately remembered as a loving, husband, brother, uncle, and cherished friend to many. He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary, his brother, John Coffey (Pat), sisters Sue Kehm (Ray), Ann Murray, and Patricia Martinez (Jesus), nieces and nephews; John Coffey (Tobi), Patrick Coffey (Suzanne), Tom Coffey (Katja), Brian Coffey (Susan), Kathy Kehm, Ginger Young (Damon), Joe Poswalk (Nicolena), Julie Varrone(Todd), Lisa Hudachek, Suzie Dillard (Patrick), Julie Wolf (Scott), John Jr. Hudachek, Lori Tidwell, Rick Hudachek (Dusty), and Karen Brandolero (Brian); brothers-in-law, John Hudachek, Richard Hudachek and Phillip Hudachek (Janet); sister-in-law, Joyce Lueder; and many great nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Christ The King Catholic Church, 9235 South Hamilton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60643. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ed's name to: Alzheimer's Association www.donorservices.alz.org or Four Seasons Foundation www.fourseasonsfdn.org