Henry W. Coe Jr.

Henry W. Coe, Jr., 86, of Durham, husband of the late Loraine (Arrigoni) Coe, died peacefully after a lengthy illness on August 18, 2022, at his long-time home lovingly surrounded by his three children. Henry was the son of the late Henry Coe, Sr. and Nellie (Strachiel) Coe of Durham. Henry is survived by his three children Dori-Lynn Coe of Durham, Kevin Coe (Kathryn Burgess) of South Carolina and Krista-Lynn Corazzo (Michael) of Amston as well as four grandchildren Taylor Corazzo (Fiancé Anthony Libera) of Middletown, Cameron Corazzo of Amston, Avery Coe and Justin Coe of Portland, sister-in-law Diane Coe of Durham. He was predeceased by a granddaughter Sydney Coe as well as a brother Edward Coe. Henry was a life-long resident of Durham having attended local schools and graduating from Southern Connecticut State College in 1956. Henry then pursued what turned out to be a 40-year career in education as a classroom teacher in the Middlefield Public School system teaching at Center School, Memorial School and ending his commitment and retiring in 2000 at Strong Middle School in Durham. Henry was a premier teacher who was recognized as teacher of the year in Regional School District 13 in 1991. Henry will always be remembered for his ability to bring history to life by the hundreds of students in the area who remember him as being a master teacher. His remembrance by his former students is a testament to his overwhelming success in his profession. Henry exemplified the phrase "community spirit" that was ever present in his lengthy and varied public service to the town and community. It was his willingness to help others without recognition that will be long remembered by the citizens of his beloved Durham. As a youngster, he became involved in the 4-H program holding a variety of offices as well as traveling to conferences nationwide. He was especially known for his horsemanship where he received many awards at horse shows. He attended every Durham Fair since his birth in 1935 often being wheeled around the grounds in a pram. It was here that the seed was sown for his life-long career as an exhibitor and director of the Durham Fair Association holding a variety of positions including Coordinator of Exhibits and Vice President. Because of his love of all things fair, he was one of the early officers of the Durham Fair Foundation, a position he held for many years. He was the first Superintendent of Entertainment that brought a national act to the Fair. In addition, he was also the first superintendent of novelty events that brought audience participation to the Fair with such wildly popular competitions as the Back Seat Driver Contest that lived on at the Durham Fair Foundation Tractor Cruise-In. He was awarded a lifetime achievement award and cut the ribbon to honorarily open the Durham Fair. He remained an active resident director of the Association until the time of his death. One of Henry's proudest accomplishments was his 40-year affiliation with the YMCA in Middletown. He was the director of Camp Phelps Ingersoll Day Camp that provided thousands of children with an enriching and rewarding camp experience. Because of his years of dedicated leadership at the camp, the recently constructed amphitheater was named in his honor. In his early days, Henry was widely known as a barbershop quartet singer participating in many shows in Middlefield and Durham as well as around the state of Connecticut. More recently, he served as Vice Chair of Durham Senior Board and brought new ideas on behalf of senior citizens in the town of Durham to help enrich their lives. Henry was an actor at heart and joined the Readers Theater Group of Middletown playing several roles utilizing his mellow but strong voice that people recognize throughout the town. Henry was a deeply religious man who regularly attended the United Churches of Durham frequently delivering sermons to the congregation. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and the Hospice and Palliative unit at Middlesex Health for their kindness, compassion and understanding over the past several weeks. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 2, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Churches of Durham, 228 Main Street in Durham with Pastor Jeanette Hicks and Pastor Cindy Stasko presiding. Burial will be at the family plot at Mica Hill Cemetery in Durham immediately following the ceremony. Friends and family are invited to calling hours on Thursday September 1, 2022, from 4:00 - 7:00p.m. at Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown, CT. In lieu of flowers, friends and relatives may make contributions to The Durham Fair Foundation, PO Box 642, Durham, CT 06422 in Henry's name. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com. Doolittle Funeral Service has been entrusted by the Coe family to make funeral arrangements.