Paul F. Coates Sr.

I first recall seeing Mr. Coates in the cafeteria back in 1969 or 70. He was barking orders to the students. He got our attention quickly. I recall being startled at first. I had him for a teacher and he was wonderful. I recall a time when I wasn't paying attention in his class. Mr. Coates came over to my desk and began pushing the pencil I was playing with towards me as if to begin a game. After he pushed the pencil towards me he stated, okay, you're turn. Don't you want to play? I remember some of his anecdotes. He spoke to us like we were adults. He was a great teacher and a great man. He had a lot of character and I respected him. He is one of the few teachers I remember from Driscoll Elementary school.

REST IN PEACE UNCLE PAUL



FROM KEVIN,LEESHA AND SHAWN BROWN

To Pat,

Sympathies to my fellow election worker. My prayers are with you and your family.

Gus Donovan

Mr. Coates was one of my very favorite teachers at Michael Driscoll School in Brookline. He taught math to me when I was a sixth grade student in 1970 and he spent a good deal of time bolstering my confidence. I have thought of him often, of his sense of humor, how he would play football with us at recess, and how he used to twirl that yardstick between his fingers incessantly during class. I am very sorry to hear of his passing.