Dr. Gilbert H. Coffey Jr.

On Wednesday, February 10, 2016, Dr. Gilbert H. Coffey, Jr. of Silver Spring, MD, expired at Medstar Montgomery Medical Center after a valiant bout with cancer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Madelyn E. Coffey; a brother, William Coffey; and three sisters: Louise Watkins, Victoria Thompson, and Dorothy Johnston. He is survived by his loving daughter, Denise Coffey Sockwell and her husband, Recardo Sockwell; a sister, Frances Daniels; a brother, Wesley Coffey and his wife, Eleanor Coffey; a sister-in-law, Nellie Brewer; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Dr. Coffey held a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Certification in Physical Therapy from the University of Buffalo, and a Medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. He distinguished himself as Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services at the Veterans Hospital in Buffalo, as a professor, physician and Chair of PM&R at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, as a national presenter, and as a member of several local and national medical committees and associations. Dr. Coffey retired from Howard University in 1993 and from The Department of Disability Services in Washington DC in 2008.

Dr. Coffey, an army veteran, was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for over 65 years, a life-time member of the NAACP, and a loyal supporter of the Meharry Alumni Chapter of Washington, DC. He will be remembered by family and friends for his love of family, positive attitude, intellect, and willingness to help those in need.

Family will receive friends at the HINES-RINALDI FUNERAL HOME, 11800 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD on Saturday, February 20, 2016

from 2 p.m. until time of memorial service at 3 p.m. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to consider a contribution in the name of Dr. Gilbert H. Coffey, Jr. to the American Association for Cancer Research.