Neil J. Coakley

1929 - 2018

Born December 23, 1929 in Milwaukee, WI to Charles H. and Kathryn (O'Donnell) Coakley, peacefully died on Father's Day, Sunday, June 17, 2018. Neil will always be remembered by his beloved wife Jan Coakley ( Nee Swenson) of 30 years.

Neil and Jan loved to travel the world, visiting in their lifetime over 50 countries, in order to better appreciate and understand the different cultures of this world. They had many adventures during their travels - some of which they were amazed that they lived to tell! Neil and Jan were great companions, sharing their life together. They spent their winters in their condo on Marco Island, where Neil enjoyed the warm weather and the camaraderie of his friends there. In the summer, they enjoyed camping and times at Dairymen's in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. He shared many memories of his times there with his buddies and family. What fun he had!

Neil was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and was a great friend to many. He accepted and enjoyed people for who they were and not what he expected them to be. Neil was generous in all things - his spirit, his love and his possessions - if it was his it was yours!

Neil was a child of the Great Depression. He was the youngest of five children and his mother died of Tuberculosis when he was 5 years old. He was raised by his aunt Dora and Uncle George Staehle in Milwaukee. Neil learned the value of hard work from his uncle, a butcher, who instilled maxims in him such as, "The customer is your bread and butter," and "Don't be too proud to work hard." Neil called Uncle George the cornerstone of his life.

In 1945 he graduated from St. Thomas grade school. He spent summers working at Coakley Brothers, sweeping floors and doing odd jobs.

In 1949, Neil graduated from West Division High School, then enrolled in Marquette University to study Business Administration. In 1950, during the Korean War, he joined the National Guard and served Stateside in the Intelligence Division for 18 months.

Coakley married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy McGarry at St. Rose Church in 1952 and divorced in 1985. They had four children together and raised their family in Wauwatosa and Elm Grove, WI for 32 years.

Neil and his brother Charles Coakley, ran the Coakley Brothers company together for 25 years and dissolved the relationship in 1977, at which time Neil purchased his brother's interest in the company. Neil's penchant for sales began in 1957, when he acquired the tenant list for the Bockl Building under construction. This sale was the birth of Coakley Brother's office moving division, which is what the company is still known for today. From there, the client list grew to include Milwaukee industrial giants.

Neil led the firm through several decades of growth and set the stage for new business ventures. He started a records retention division in the 1970's. In 1999, Neil and Peggy Coakley launched a digital print and fulfillment company called Coakley-Tech. They experienced explosive growth and sold the business in 2007.

Neil served on the board of Directors for Great American Savings and Loan and was the youngest past President of the Milwaukee Kiwanis Club, where he made lifelong friendships.
Whether Neil was at work, on the golf course, or visiting in your family room he was smiling and engaged. He was a teacher and mentor, strong and direct, always had supportive words and told stories with laughter and compassion. He had the greatest smile and it was infectious! He was a beautiful man who left a legacy of promise and love. He loved people.

Neil was a fighter - he died of Malignant Plueral Effusion, a cancer of the lung. He fought for 4 and half years and defied all odds. We were all blessed to be graced by his love and energy for so long.

Neil is preceded in death by his sisters Lois Coakley Field (Robert Field), Joyce Coakley Callan (Judge Joseph Callan) Patricia Coakley Kowalsky, and his brother, Charles Coakley (Beverly Coakley) and Lois Swenson, Jan's mother.

He will always be remebered in life by his wife Jan Coakley, first wife, Dorothy Coakley, brother-in-law, John Kowalsky, and his children, Neil Coakley Jr. (Marie), Christopher Coakley (Cindy), Kevin Coakley (Kathy), Peggy Coakley (John), grandchildren, Kate Coakley, Matthew Coakley (Amanda), Timothy Coakley, Carly Coakley Brunclik (Max), Victoria Coakley, Margaret Coakley, Jack Coakley, Christopher Cade Coakley, Callie Coakley, Joseph Coakley Heuler, Madeline Coakley Heuler and two great grandchildren, Henry Coakley and Tucker Brunclik.

Neil is also survived by Jan's family who he loved and enjoyed their friendship and company, his sisters-in-law are Christine Wickham (Bob), Karen Hansen (Peter) and Linda Swenson.

Neil is further survived by many, many loving nieces and nephews and spouses.

Family will greet relatives and friends at ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 313 Circle Drive, Hartland, WI., Friday, June, 22, 2018 from 9:30 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 NOON.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Neil's memory to any of the following:
Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, W314 N7462 State Road 83 Hartland, WI 53019 (stteresaofcalcutta.org)
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, 1215 South 45th Street West Milwaukee, WI 53214 (cristoreymilwaukee.org)
Or Sojourner, 619 West Walnut Street Milwaukee, WI 53212 (familypeacecenter.org/donate/donation).