Robert L. Coffin

TEWKSBURY -- Robert L. Coffin, 77, a resident of Tewksbury and member of the Machine Operator's Union for more than 45 years, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, Feb. 20, after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Annamae E. (Foley) Coffin, to whom he was married for 46 years.

He was born in Lexington, on June 12, 1927, son of the late Everett and Sophia (Jones) Coffin. He was raised in Arlington and graduated from Arlington High School. He had lived in Tewksbury since 1964.

During World War II, Mr. Coffin enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific aboard the USS Los Angeles. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

He was a member of Boston's Local 4, Operating Engineers, and had worked as a heavy-equipment operator for Roberto Brothers in Burlington and Billerica for more than 45 years.

Besides his wife, his survivors include a son, Robert M. Coffin of Virginia; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Patricia and James Patierno of Groton, Christina M. Coffin of Florida, and Colleen and Peter Fentross of Tewksbury; two sisters and a brother-in-law; Barbara Janus of Quincy and Helen and Dr. William Knowles of Michigan; a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Joseph and Patricia (Hayes) Foley of Tewksbury, and Julia Quinn of Medford; seven grandchildren, James, Amanda, Evan, and Stephen Patierno, Jessie, Julia, and Timothy Fentross; and many nieces and nephews.