William P. "Bill" Coffey

William P. Coffey, 89, of Tiverton and Miami, FL, passed into eternal life in Florida on 11 July after a long illness. He was the son of the late Thomas F. Coffey and Anne Marie (Miozza) Coffey. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 52 years Claire (Gauthier), his son William Patrick Jr., his sisters Rita, Helen, Patricia, and Lorna, and his brother Thomas Jr. He is survived by his "sweetheart" (and caregiver) of 15 years, Gloria (Gagnon) Nellen, his daughters Christine (Terrence Slaven) of Phoenix, AZ and Kathleen (L. Stephan Vincze) of Boston, his sons Michael (Laurie) and Timothy, both of Wakefield, his grandsons Michael, William, and Joseph Slaven and Ryan Coffey, his granddaughters Jessie and Alaina Coffey and Chiara Vincze. Bill enjoyed a special relationship with each of his grandchildren. He had many nieces and nephews, all of whom he cherished.
Bill was a World War II era veteran and loved his country, following politics and events with great insight until the end. He was proud to be part of the greatest world-changing event in modern history - part of the greatest generation of 10 million Americans who served in uniform during that time. A veteran at the age of 19 ½, Bill learned a trade when he returned home and eventually co-founded Allied Floor Covering in Fall River along with Phillipe Drapeau of Tiverton. Bill and Phil moved the business to Tiverton in 1962 and operated it there until their retirement in1990. Bill was a coach, treasurer, and occasional groundskeeper of the Tiverton Little League and served on the building committees for Tiverton Middle School and Holy Ghost Church. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in Tiverton and a long-time parishioner of Holy Ghost. Bill also worked for Viti Motors in Tiverton during the 1990's which offered one of his many pleasures, driving great cars all around New England.
In addition to the two great loves of his life, Claire and Gloria, Bill's passions included Red Sox baseball, politics, poker, and solving problems, which he continued to do until the very last day. He could fix anything. He exulted in the education and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, convinced that he was both living the American dream and passing it on. He marveled at technological and societal change and was never without an informed opinion. Always strong, fiercely loyal, he had a heart of gold and made friends easily, craving the company of others and especially a good conversation and story-telling. He was an inspiring worker but also a person who could recite classical poetry by heart - as well as write a respectable verse - and recount historical events to minute detail. He demonstrated every day of his long life that he would tough through anything for his family and friends.
Calling hours for Bill will be at the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 So. Main Street, Fall River, from 5 PM to 8 PM on July 31. A mass of Christian celebration will be held at Holy Rosary Chapel, 120 Beattie Street, Fall River on August 1 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that friends consider donations to the MDS Foundation (https://www.mds-foundation.org/donate/) or to The Pablove Foundation, 6607 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 (or pablove.org/donate), a pediatric cancer foundation for which daughter Kathy serves on the advisory board.

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