COFFUA, Henry S. (Ret. Lt. Col US Army), 91, of Bridgette Lane, Westerly, formerly of West Warwick, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Westerly Hospital. He was the husband of the late Roberta A. (Fitzsimmons) Coffua.
Born in West Warwick, he was a son of the late Joseph S. and Luntina M. (Mathias) Coffua.
Distinguished member of the United States Naval Service and Armed Guard, survivor of a Nazi Submarine torpedo sinking of the SS John Carter Rose, continued his military service in the United States Army, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel in Air Defense Artillery, awarded Bronze and Silver Stars for meritorious achievement and service to a grateful nation. He followed his military service as both English and History teacher for the West Warwick School department. He had a happiness in teaching, and a wonderful dedication to his students during those years.
He was a voracious reader and copious writer, with a lifelong passionate intellectual curiosity, earning a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Maryland, and two Masters Degrees in English and History. He loved his garden and hobbies, but his greatest testament to life was as patriarch of a large and loving family. His many quiet acts, and abundant love for each will be treasured and held in their hearts forever. He was a good man.
He is survived by his 5 children; two brothers, Charles Coffua of Charlestown and John Coffua of Coventry; two sisters, Gloria Enos of San Jose, CA and Elizabeth Bannon of Warwick; daughters in law Susan Wogan MD and Angela Gaines, 13 loving grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was a brother of the late George Coffua and Mary Masterson.
His Funeral will be held Monday {18 Apr 2016} at 9:00 am from the IANNOTTI Funeral Home, 415 Washington St. (Rte.117), Coventry, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Anthony Church, West Warwick. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours Sunday 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 or the American Parkinson Disease Assoc., RI Chapter, PO Box 41659, Providence, RI 02904 would be appreciated.
Born in West Warwick, he was a son of the late Joseph S. and Luntina M. (Mathias) Coffua.
Distinguished member of the United States Naval Service and Armed Guard, survivor of a Nazi Submarine torpedo sinking of the SS John Carter Rose, continued his military service in the United States Army, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel in Air Defense Artillery, awarded Bronze and Silver Stars for meritorious achievement and service to a grateful nation. He followed his military service as both English and History teacher for the West Warwick School department. He had a happiness in teaching, and a wonderful dedication to his students during those years.
He was a voracious reader and copious writer, with a lifelong passionate intellectual curiosity, earning a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Maryland, and two Masters Degrees in English and History. He loved his garden and hobbies, but his greatest testament to life was as patriarch of a large and loving family. His many quiet acts, and abundant love for each will be treasured and held in their hearts forever. He was a good man.
He is survived by his 5 children; two brothers, Charles Coffua of Charlestown and John Coffua of Coventry; two sisters, Gloria Enos of San Jose, CA and Elizabeth Bannon of Warwick; daughters in law Susan Wogan MD and Angela Gaines, 13 loving grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was a brother of the late George Coffua and Mary Masterson.
His Funeral will be held Monday {18 Apr 2016} at 9:00 am from the IANNOTTI Funeral Home, 415 Washington St. (Rte.117), Coventry, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Anthony Church, West Warwick. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours Sunday 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 or the American Parkinson Disease Assoc., RI Chapter, PO Box 41659, Providence, RI 02904 would be appreciated.
COFFUA, Henry S. (Ret. Lt. Col US Army), 91, of Bridgette Lane, Westerly, formerly of West Warwick, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Westerly Hospital. He was the husband of the late Roberta A. (Fitzsimmons) Coffua.
Born in West Warwick, he was a son of the late Joseph S. and Luntina M. (Mathias) Coffua.
Distinguished member of the United States Naval Service and Armed Guard, survivor of a Nazi Submarine torpedo sinking of the SS John Carter Rose, continued his military service in the United States Army, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel in Air Defense Artillery, awarded Bronze and Silver Stars for meritorious achievement and service to a grateful nation. He followed his military service as both English and History teacher for the West Warwick School department. He had a happiness in teaching, and a wonderful dedication to his students during those years.
He was a voracious reader and copious writer, with a lifelong passionate intellectual curiosity, earning a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Maryland, and two Masters Degrees in English and History. He loved his garden and hobbies, but his greatest testament to life was as patriarch of a large and loving family. His many quiet acts, and abundant love for each will be treasured and held in their hearts forever. He was a good man.
He is survived by his 5 children; two brothers, Charles Coffua of Charlestown and John Coffua of Coventry; two sisters, Gloria Enos of San Jose, CA and Elizabeth Bannon of Warwick; daughters in law Susan Wogan MD and Angela Gaines, 13 loving grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was a brother of the late George Coffua and Mary Masterson.
His Funeral will be held Monday {18 Apr 2016} at 9:00 am from the IANNOTTI Funeral Home, 415 Washington St. (Rte.117), Coventry, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Anthony Church, West Warwick. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours Sunday 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 or the American Parkinson Disease Assoc., RI Chapter, PO Box 41659, Providence, RI 02904 would be appreciated.
Born in West Warwick, he was a son of the late Joseph S. and Luntina M. (Mathias) Coffua.
Distinguished member of the United States Naval Service and Armed Guard, survivor of a Nazi Submarine torpedo sinking of the SS John Carter Rose, continued his military service in the United States Army, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel in Air Defense Artillery, awarded Bronze and Silver Stars for meritorious achievement and service to a grateful nation. He followed his military service as both English and History teacher for the West Warwick School department. He had a happiness in teaching, and a wonderful dedication to his students during those years.
He was a voracious reader and copious writer, with a lifelong passionate intellectual curiosity, earning a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Maryland, and two Masters Degrees in English and History. He loved his garden and hobbies, but his greatest testament to life was as patriarch of a large and loving family. His many quiet acts, and abundant love for each will be treasured and held in their hearts forever. He was a good man.
He is survived by his 5 children; two brothers, Charles Coffua of Charlestown and John Coffua of Coventry; two sisters, Gloria Enos of San Jose, CA and Elizabeth Bannon of Warwick; daughters in law Susan Wogan MD and Angela Gaines, 13 loving grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was a brother of the late George Coffua and Mary Masterson.
His Funeral will be held Monday {18 Apr 2016} at 9:00 am from the IANNOTTI Funeral Home, 415 Washington St. (Rte.117), Coventry, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Anthony Church, West Warwick. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours Sunday 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 or the American Parkinson Disease Assoc., RI Chapter, PO Box 41659, Providence, RI 02904 would be appreciated.
