Mr. Bruce Norman Edward Ford-Coates

Bruce Ford-Coates, 91, of Sarasota, FL died on September 9, 2014. A viewing will be held from 10:00-11:00 at Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home with a requiem at 1:00, at the Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota on September 13, 2014. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation 12902 Magnolia Drive Tampa, FL 33612. Born November 25, 1922 in London, he was the son of Anne Maclean and Norman Ford-Coates. While at University in 1938, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. After graduation from the University of St. Andrew's in Scotland, he finished pilot training in Florida earning RAF and USAAF pilot wings. Getting on well with Americans, he was ordered to help train American pilots in the United States. In 1943, he met and married U.S. Army Air Corps Flight Nurse Lt. Ernestine “Tina” Forney who predeceased him in 2005. Transferred back to Europe, he served as a combat fighter pilot flying Hurricanes, Spitfires, P-51 Mustangs, Typhoon 1Bs, and postwar, the British jet Gloster Meteor. He achieved the rank of Squadron Leader, flew 6 sorties on D-Day and was shot down over Holland in 1944. After demobilization, he emigrated to the U.S., becoming a proud citizen. He had a successful career with Dover Elevator in Ohio and New York. In 1978, he retired to Sarasota where he was active in the Sarasota Power Squadron, Gyro International and the Retired Officers Club. Proud of his Scottish heritage, he was a member of the Caledonian Club and the St. Andrew Society. As one of the last surviving RAF cadets who trained in Arcadia, FL, he was the honored guest at the Memorial Day ceremonies in 2010. He is survived by his brother Robin of the United Kingdom, his beloved wife Adelyn and her son Robert Agnew (Susan) of VA, his sons Bruce Ford-Coates (Cathy), Brian Ford-Coates (Barbara), Derek Ford-Coates, and Dr. Mary Thompson. Often described as a true gentleman, he was an inspiration to his grandchildren: Catherine (Jake Gardner) of Asheville, NC, Virginia Wagner (Jerry), Laura F-C Bricker, Anne of New York, NY, Sgt. Bruce N.E. II (Molly) of Ft. Campbell, KY, Amy Monville (Jon) of Bland, VA, Emily Hilgendorf (Eric) of Greensboro, NC, John of St. Joseph, MO, David (Carrie), and Elizabeth of Springfield, MO. As the Patriarch of the Ford-Coates clan, he was proud of his great grandchildren: Madeline, Autumn, Jon, Summer, Brandon, Catherine, Hayden, Jacqueline, Bruce David, Meleigha, Brennan, Sofia, and Ewan.