John Edward Coffey

John Edward Coffey, 69, Wamego, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at his home. John was born April 14, 1946, in Welch, West Virginia, as the middle child to parents John Willis Coffey and Kathleen Marie “Kate” (Moran) Coffey. John attended schools in Upstate New York. He left high school as a senior to enlist in the Navy in 1963 later earning his GED and attending college while in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corp. He attended SUNY- Buffalo campus for his Masters in mechanical engineering. After a long and decorated career in several branches of military service including the Marines and New York Army National Guard, he worked as a construction project manager and superintendent on various commercial projects including a wastewater treatment plant, apartment complexes, senior living complexes, hotels, hospitals, schools, government offices, parking garages, Redskins sports complex and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Headquarters, Washington, DC -- his largest and longest project. John was an avid Hamm radio operator, photographer, boater and golfer. It was not unusual for him to finish four or five books a week that were usually written by veterans. He loved several genera of music but rarely played music while riding in a vehicle. After moving to Wamego in 2011, he became very active in the American Legion Post #172 and American Legion Riders Post #172 answering the call of volunteerism for Flag Lines, Random Acts of Patriotism and Military Honor Services. He worked relentlessly membership and fundraising for the Wamego Veterans Memorial. John is survived by siblings and their thirteen children: Eleanor Freer, Matthews, NC and Kathleen (Mark) Jenkins, Hudson, NY, and Richard (Dena) Coffey, Albany, NY. Siblings proceeding him in death: Lauranne Janko, 2001 and James Coffey, 2009. There was also an infant son, Shaun Patrick Coffey from a previous marriage. He is also survived by daughters and three grandchildren from his marriage with Marlene Coffey: Erin Essex, Murrysville, PA, Kerry (Paul) Lanouette, Newark, DE and Bridget Coffey, Winchester, VA as well as life partner, Linda (Harris-Kolde) Mackey of the home and stepsons Jason Kolde, Wamego and Chad (Jessica) Kolde, Ballwin, MO and their two daughters. Memorial services following cremation will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, June 5, 2015 at Stewart Funeral Home, 4370 Salzer Rd., Wamego, KS 66547. The family will accept friends at 9:30 AM until time of the service. Family and friends will gather at the home following the service. Ashes will be interned in Maryland. The family has requested no flowers but memorial contributions can be made to the Wamego Veterans Memorial in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.