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John Coffey Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Coffey
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Nicki Caravella
May 25, 2023
Dr. Coffey was my 5th grade home room teacher. He was there for me during one of the toughest years of my life. I will always be thankful for him & grateful for his presence at that time.
Tamara Harrison
September 19, 2018
Dr. Coffey was a wonderful teacher at my grade school, and while I never had him for my homeroom teacher, he was my English teacher for 5 years. He fostered a lifelong love of books and after I had already read everything there, he'd bring me ones from his personal collection. I have so many fond memories of discussing all of the characters from each novel with him, before he'd somehow fit his large frame in his tiny yellow bug and drive off while cheerfully waving. He was a special man and a great teacher; he is missed.
Sharon Prince
August 22, 2018
Dr. Coffey, from a grateful family - you were a friend to all of us at a significant time of our lives; it will never be forgotten. You taught our Matthew and our Becky at Independence; your passion for learning and your compassion for those who needed extra encouragement changed our lives and the lives of all who were fortunate enough to sit in your class or call you friend. Highest respect and honor, always and forever.
Kaela Mansfield
November 29, 2016
Dr. Coffey was both mine and my brother's fifth grade teacher at Independence Elementary 20 years ago. He was a great influence and huge impact in my life and I carry his lessons with me to this day. He went out of his way to be there for my brother and I, in and outside of school. I'm so sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was truly a loving, caring and great man.
October 19, 2016
My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. May God strengthen you and help you endure
Don Schmidt
December 5, 2015
Mike and I were on the same teaching team at Village East. u couldn't ask form a more supportive team member. I will miss him dearly, but I know he is in very good hands.
Andy & Nancy Maierhofer
November 9, 2015
Mike Coffey was a teacher for both our sons at Village East Elementary School in the 70's and 80's. We have never known a more compassionate, caring individual. He was more than a teacher. He was a friend, and truly a gentle soul.
Kathy Grady
November 5, 2015
Diane
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother Mike. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. I have lost a brother and a sister so I know how difficult it is to lose a sibling. I will remember you and your family in my prayers.
Love,
Kathy Grady
Geri Zahner Heasly
November 4, 2015
Jim and I send our thoughts and prayers to Mike's family. We just saw him and Patrick at the Holy Family Class of 1965 Fiftieth Reunion this last Summer.
Mike, Pat and I went to school together from fourth grade through high school and our parents were also friends.
What a tragic loss his death is.
Geri Zahner Heasly and Jim Heasly
Ken Arkind
November 2, 2015
I was fortunate enough to be Dr. Coffey's 5th grade class at Independence Elementary.
Dr. Coffey had a profound effect on me and many young people. He encouraged me to read my first novel, Maniac Magee and was incredibly patient with me as a student. I received an assault charge while I was in his class because of a fight I had. Jeff Brantley, another student in my year, organised a class gift for Dr. Coffey in the form of a clock and I remember the day we gave it to him and how much he cried and laughed. It was a special moment.
I have since gone on to become a writer and educator myself. When my first book was published in 2014 I dedicated it to Dr. Coffey.
I attempted to find his phone number but outside of an address that Jeff got for me I was unable to get ahold of Dr. Coffey. I have also relocated overseas for the time being and in the process was't able to pursue the matter further. I want to send a copy of the book to his family with some other stories that I have written about him.
He really was an incredible person and I, just like many others, owe him such a tremendous amount. If it is possible to send a copy or if anyone has details on how to contact them please let me know. I can be reached on Facebook or by email at ken arkind at gmail dot com. All of my love and wishes.
Nicole Freyta
November 2, 2015
Dr. Coffey was my 5th/6th grade teacher @ Independence Elementary he was very caring individual more than just a teacher. I remember taking the CCAP testing w/o my glasses
Brad Hinkle
November 2, 2015
What a wonderful teacher! I had him in elementary school. He always went way above and beyond to ensure we understood the concepts. He will be missed!!
April Siruno
November 2, 2015
Sending my love and prayers to the Coffey family during this difficult time.
Dominque Calloway
November 2, 2015
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Dr. Coffey was a teacher at my elementary school in the 80's. I remember him for being such a strong presence. Hearing how he continued in the field of education is heart warming and speaks to his remarkable character. Dominque Calloway
Devon Williams (Dangutis)
November 1, 2015
Dr Coffee was my 5th grade teacher and had a wonderful impact on my childhood. His soft spoken kindness was exactly what I needed at that difficult age. He was a positive male influence for all of the students and I'm sure that all of my Independence alumni have just as fond memories of him as I do. He will always hold a special place in my heart. My condolences to his family.
Suzanne McInerney
November 1, 2015
He was such a kind, thoughtful, generous man. I am so sorry for your loss.
Justin Behravesh
October 31, 2015
I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Mike, and I remember him being such a kind, gentle man, with a wonderful sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Diane McKinley
October 30, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We send you our love. What a wonderful father you had. I see that reflected in David, who is also a wonderful father. I wish I had had the honor of knowing Mike. I am glad you have each other in this time of sorrow.
Mike's beautiful tree in the snow
Dale & Suzanne Nordstrom
October 30, 2015
To the Coffey family,
Mike was the best of neighbors! We will miss his cheerful hello and wave from across the street. He knew everybody and kept tabs on everyone. Our love and prayers are with you all.
Mary Sullivan
October 30, 2015
A memory of Mike Coffey - Once at Mass at a downtown parish, a troubled individual was disturbing the peace. Mr. Coffey and another man gently approached the fellow. Soon I saw Mr. Coffey and the individual sitting quietly in a pew together. Afterward, when I saw Mr. Coffey I thanked him, and for his gentle care and kindness toward the individual... He humbly acknowdged my thanks as if it were the most natural thing in the world to have done Several years later, this act of kindness still witnesses to me.
Marie James
October 30, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I remember all the times we spent with your family with fondness.
Marie and Tom James
Shawn Fowler
October 30, 2015
Our love, hugs, and prayers to the Coffey family. Your dad was always so kind and welcoming to me, and I had so much fun with him and Patrick at David and Hilary's wedding. It's hard losing a dad- my thoughts are with you David, Colleen, Sean, and Katie. Love, Shawn
Cindy Rogers
October 29, 2015
To the Coffey family,
I am deeply saddened to hear of Dr.Coffey's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am a past student of his and to this day I share stories with my 8 year old about things Dr.Coffey taught me. The compassion he had for me and the belief he had in me still helps me strive to be a great person. I pray that as he looks down from heaven that he sees and understands what a great impact he had on the children he taught and that those lessons are being passed on to even newer generations.
Dr.Coffey, Thank you for caring. Thank you for taking time to reach me. And thank you for sharing your wisdom with me and all the other students you encountered. I will never forget you!
Lois Lee
October 29, 2015
Thinking of all of you as you celebrate Mike's life. So many good memories of his love and friendship. How he loved his family! I know you will have so many good stories to share. Wish I could be there to hear them!
Love, Lois
Angie & David Powers
October 29, 2015
Dear Coffey Family Cousins,
Thinking of you all during this difficult time, Wish we could be there, You all are in our prayers!!! Sending lots of Love your way!! Lots of good memories...
I remember last time I was in CO that was for Colleen and Jays wedding, I stayed with Mike, and I got stuck there a few extra days because of the weather in Kansas, and Mike took me on a drive and all of a sudden all around us was Christmas trees and he told me to roll my window down and smell the air and I did and it smelled so good all the evergreen trees smelled sooo good... That was just one of the adventures we had...
I will miss Mike, and his loving and happy personality.... Hugs to everyone!!
Love You all!!!
Angie & David Powers
St. Louis, MO
Steve and Sheri Specht
October 29, 2015
We are thinking of you at this difficult time. That Mike will be missed is a vast understatement. We are just sorry we never got the opportunity to know him better.
Loving wishes to you all,
Steve and Sheri Specht
Katie (Walsh) Votodian
October 29, 2015
I will miss Mike immensely. Mr. Coffey was my 5th grade teacher back in the 1980s. I kept him in the loop about my life happenings because he was such a stalwart champion as a teacher. Several years ago I was attending mass and at the sign of peace turned to recognize Mike standing next to me. During the past several years, it has been a real joy to see Mike at church, introduce him to my daughter and converse with him about our endeavors. I am so sad to hear about his death because I was going to get to share with him that I became a grandmother this week. I will miss his friendly face but will pray for him in his passing. My condolences to all of his family and friends for this great loss.
Ernest A & Mary Ann Frick
October 29, 2015
You know what they say about the good die young. He was way to good. God called one of his angels back.
Prayers and love to the whole family,
Ernie & Mary Ann FricK
Michelle Vogt
October 29, 2015
Tears streamed down my face as I read Katie's email to me about Mike's passing. What a wonderful, loving, kind, humble man he was. So humble that I didn't know until reading his obituary that I should have been referring to him as Dr. Coffey all of these years. He was a dear neighbor and co-parishioner at MPB, and he was the proud, loving father of my former carpool buddy to LHS (Katie). He gave words of support freely and showed kindness in so many ways. Many years ago, after my husband and I took in a student of mine who would have been homeless, Mike brought us a generous gift, sharing his admiration for our doing so and expressing his regret that he couldn't have done it himself. His gift will serve as a reminder to my children about the importance of genuine kindness for years to come.
My deepest sympathy to all of his family,
Michelle Vogt
Jarod Garis
October 29, 2015
To the Coffey family. I had Dr. Coffey in 5th grade at Independence Elementary and he is one of few teachers who had a profound impact on my future. Dr. Coffey never allowed one his students to quit on themselves. He taught me amazing life skills as well as to have compassion and kindness in your heart for everybody.
My deepest condolences on the passing of a great human being.
Sincerely, Jarod
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