Photo courtesy of Clymer Funeral Home Cremations - Palm Coast
Palm Coast, Florida
Jun 17, 1962 – Oct 17, 2020 (Age 58)
Gary Shawn Coffey died on Saturday, October 17, 2020 in Palm Coast surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his mother, Urtella Coffey, brother Roy Coffey, sister Deborah Ignatuk (Dan) brothers Wayne Coffey (Dolores), Mark Coffey (Karen) and countless nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Roy Coffey Sr.
Shawn was born in 1962 and raised in Baltimore. He joined the United States Secret Service in 1984. Shawn served the White House Branch, Foreign Missions Branch, Special Operations Branch, Emergency Response Team, and the James J. Rowley Training Center. He received the Medal of Valor for his courageous actions taken defending the White House on October 29, 1994 when an armed gunman fired 29 rounds from a semi-automatic rifle at the White House.
Shawn began his career as an Officer rising through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Inspector and, after serving six years as Deputy Chief, he retired in 2012. Shawn took great care of those with whom he worked. He was loyal to those who worked beside him. Although sometimes demanding, he was an incredible role model. Shawn was passionate about his work at the White House. He retired to Palm Coast to be close to family. Shawn was devoted to his mother and her care until his illness prevented him from continuing. Shawn was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed.
Expressions of sympathy may be given to the Helping Hands Fund, C/O US Secret Service Employee Recreation Association P.O. Box 2045, West Chester, PA 19380 or the American Cancer Society, their website address is: cancer.org Mr. Coffey’s family as entrusted arrangements with Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations.
Read MoreShawn and I became close friends through my late husband. He and Shawn met and became friends while going through treatment and battling the same disease. My heart is saddened to know of his passing. I had been trying to reach him for some time and feared this when more than 2 days passed without hearing back from him . He was a kind and gentle friend I will deeply miss.
Ilica Kaufman
November 08, 2020 | Deland, FL | Friend
I was so saddened to hear of Shawn’s passing. I went to elementary school with him at Immanuel Lutheran. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Wendy Mattingly Pastore
November 01, 2020
Sympathy Gift courtesy of Chris Tutka. Group of 10 Memorial Trees Planted In Loving Memory of Gary Shawn Coffey.
Chris Tutka
October 29, 2020
Dear Mark,
I was so very sorry to hear from Dan about your brother's passing. He was certainly a dedicated and hard working man, and I know he will be missed. I lost my younger sister a number of years ago, and I know how difficult it is to lose a sibling. I will hold you and your family in my prayers.
I'm glad you were able to visit Dan after his mother died. That was enormously helpful and meant lot to him. I call him almost every day to check on him, so I hear...
Barbara Raedeke
October 29, 2020 | Ballwin, MO | Friend
My condolences to the Coffey family. I was saddened to learn of Shawns death. I worked with Shawn at the USSS on the Emergency Response Team in the early 1990's. Shawn was a good leader, and easy to be around. May he rest in peace.
Martin Ebelhardt
October 28, 2020 | Bayfield, WI | Coworker
My sincerest condolences to the Coffey family. May his memory be a blessing to all.
Robert Caraballo
October 27, 2020 | Kissimmee, FL | Coworker
When we met in 1998 our shared sense of humor made us immediate friends...I have always thought fondly of the constant laughs we shared whenever we were together..from a Uniformed Div. USSS Christmas party, to the celebration when you became Captain, to parties in CT at Deb & Dan’s... Shawn, you were simply exemplary, and will never be forgotten.
To all who feel the impact of Shawn’s loss—most especially Debbie, Mrs. Coffey, his brothers, and extended family- I pray you find peace...
Lisa Flaherty Baker
October 24, 2020 | Watertown, CT
Shawn was one of the best supervisors and mentors that I have ever had in my law enforcement career. I was one of the lucky ones to be chosen by him to be one of the originals on a special unit that he was over. We were known as “ Coffey’s Boys” by many. He cared greatly about us and our families. I am forever grateful to have had him as a supervisor and a friend. He will be missed greatly. Prayers from my family to the Coffey family.
Paul and Melissa Johnson
October 23, 2020 | Graham, NC | Friend
Shawn was so dedicated to his work and to his family. We spent much time working together in various assignments in the Secret Service. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Coffey family. May Shawn Rest in Peace.
Andy Adelmann
October 23, 2020 | Foster City, CA | Coworker
