Richard J. Coke

Richard J. Coke retired Ayer firefighter, WWII vet; 83 AYER Richard J. Coke, 83, of Ayer, died Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at his home, after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Ruth P. (McQueeney) Coke who died in 2000. Mr. Coke was born in Clinton, August 9, 1925, a son of Edward A. and Mary Julia (Johnson) Coke, and grew up in Harvard. He was a 1943 graduate of Bromfield High School. He has resided in Ayer for over 50 years. During WWII, Mr. Coke served his country in the United States Army. He also devoted many years of service to the Ayer Fire Department before retiring as Deputy Chief. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Ayer. Mr. Coke owned and operated R.J. Coke Excavation Company in Ayer. He is survived by his daughter, Linda C. Coke of Mt. Pleasant, SC, four sons; Richard M. Coke of Ayer, David J. Coke of Orlando, Florida, Brian C. Coke of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Gary E. Coke of Shirley. He also leaves five grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Philip, John Coke, and William Coke, all of Harvard and Paul Coke of California. COKE A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 am Monday, January 19th at St. Mary's Church, 31 Shirley St., Ayer. Calling hours are 4-8 Sunday at the T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Rd., (Rte 2A) Ayer. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, c/o MOC, 166 Prichard St., Fitchburg, MA 01420.