Donald R. Coffman

Donald R. Coffman (known as Don), 94, of South Orleans, MA passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 10 with two of his children by his side.

Don was born in West Englewood, New Jersey on February 27, 1921 to M. Ray and Edna (Shrauth) Coffman. Don graduated from the Englewood School for Boys (now known as the Dwight-Englewood School) and went on to Colgate University where he studied psychology, was a member of the varsity football team and then the co-ed cheerleading team where he was voted by his team mates to be their team leader his senior year. He also kept close contact with his brothers of Theta Chi.

After graduating in three years from Colgate Don joined the Marines and made it through Paris Island training and was a Private First Class. However, disappointed at not being assigned as a fighter pilot, he was honorably discharged and joined the Navy where he served on the USS Blackford and traveled to the Philippines. While on leave he married E. Gloria (Stalker) Coffman of Teaneck, NJ on October 14, 1944 at Christ Church and returned to duty the very next day.

Upon his return from the war two years later Don took a job in the Cathode Ray Tube Division of General Electric and moved to Syracuse, NY where he and Gloria raised four children. While at GE Don was purchasing manager and one of his ideas for an improved face design was patented. While living in the Syracuse suburb of Fayetteville, NY Don was an avid golfer, played doubles and singles tennis, sang in the Trinity Episcopal Church Choir, was active in local politics and volunteered for several local and state organizations for the Blind. Don also loved gardening with Gloria and often could be found in the backyard planting a new bush or inventing a new way to keep the squirrels out of the bird feeders.

His love for the Cape Life started in the summer of 1964 when he rented a small cottage called the "Blue Shutters" on the Mill Pond in East Orleans and he and his family returned every August. Don and Gloria's dream of living on the Cape full time was realized in 1985 when they moved to their home in South Orleans. Don promptly purchased a Jeep and a Precision 19' sailboat he named "True Love" which was moored on Quanset Pond. Don spent most of his summers sailing with his first mate, Gloria out on Pleasant Bay.

In retirement Don found much joy in the company of friends and loved his time with "the guys" as an active member of the Cape Cod Men's Club (and was selected President in 2008), the Orleans Coffee Club, GE's Elfun Society and the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts. He was also a member of the Orleans Yacht Club and Nauset Newcomers.

Don could liven up a room with his voice as he so loved to sing, or with a favorite tune he enjoyed playing on the piano or playing the drums for the band The Silver Foxes. He was a proud Orleans resident for twenty-five years but when Gloria could no longer live in their home they both moved to Epoch of Brewster Place in 2011 and while he often complained that the hardest part of living so long was that you outlive your wife and friends he learned over the past three years that you are never too old to make new friends and he found much joy in bringing a smile, or a muffin, to those in need.

Don is predeceased by his wife of 67 years E. Gloria Coffman and leaves behind three sons Richard formerly of Lowell, MA now living in Anhui Province, China, Douglas of New York City, NY and Robert of Dracut, MA, one daughter Christine A. Sullivan and her husband James H. Sullivan Jr. who live in both Palm Coast, FL and Elmira, NY and one grand daughter Madeline J. Sullivan of Columbus, Indiana.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00PM on Friday, October 23, 2015 at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans, MA. Donations can be made in Don’s memory to the Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Road, Orleans, MA 02653.

The family would like to thank all the staff and residents at Epoch Assisted Living at Brewster Place for being such great friends to their Dad, the staff at Epoch Senior Healthcare of Brewster who diligently looked after our mother and then our Dad during many difficult days and months, as well as the staff at Broad Reach Hospice.

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.