Birth date: Apr 3, 1921 Death date: Oct 4, 2013
Albert H. “Al” Coffee, age 92, passed away on October 4th, 2013 in Muskegon. He was born in South Glens Falls, New York on April 3, 1921 to Joseph and Kathryne Coffee. He was a 21 year resident of Muskegon and a member of St. Mary Read Obituary
Al you were one of a kind and you will always be a friend of mine. I know you had to go even though my heart was saying no. You may have left me behind but, I will keep this in mind, I will see you again because this is not the end. This is just the beginning because Jesus set you free. The price He paid for you was on Calvary. You chose Him to be the Lord of your life and because of that in His arms you will forever be, praise GOD you got the VICTORY!
I Love You and Miss You Dearly!
Love Always
Angie Johnson
Dayspring Assisted Living
When I first met my father in law, it was in the early 80s. He seemed like a real character. He was in the process of retiring from his full time job, and was heading up a lot of NYC roadrunners races. I believe he had just started a running career himself, and he was close to 60 at the time. He seemed to keep himself in good physical shape, hence his long life.
He always seemed very proud of his family, and would often times comment on how proud he was of myself and Michael and the family that we've created. My husband and I will forever be greatful for his love and the time we had with him.
Liza Coffee
Looking back at it I never really spent much time with Grandpa. Sure, I knew who he was, his mannerisms, how he acted and what he believed in, but that was based only on a number of short visits with him. It really bothers me actually, how I have spent so many more hours doing undeserving tasks like driving, sitting, putting on shoes compared to substantial interaction with Grandpa. I think that mindset is what made me connect with Grandpa actually; he was a man who counted the hours. The first thing he would talk about whenever I saw him was his age. He was always comparing his age to others and looking forward to the next year. Not with any excitement, mind you, he viewed birthdays as a dieting mother viewed cake, a guilty pleasure.
One of my fonder memories of Grandpa was shortly after summer camp one year. I had lost a great deal of weight, and unfortunately my brand new cargo shorts did't fit. I was constantly dragging them up with my hand whenever I was standing. Grandpa didn't like that. He sent us across town looking for new shorts that actually fit. I don't remember the specific shorts we bought, even though I probably still have them. I do remember, however, the look on his face once we got them. It was the only sincere look of dread I have ever seen in my life. He spent the whole car ride back apologizing for sending us on the errand. What bothered him was the time that he thought was wasted. He thought I valued those twenty minutes as much as him, as if he somehow took something valuable from me. No one valued time as much as him.
I would like to think that Grandpa is up there in heaven, running a stick along the pearly gates and for the first time he is truly ageless.
Michael Thomas Coffee
I can remember visiting Grandpa when I was much younger and how he would always buy me a selection of cereals that kids liked, these being the ones with the most sugar possible. He would always confront me on how I never drank the milk with the cereal, and looking back on it I'm not sure why I did that either.
What I will always remember is the tone of his voice. I don't pay attention to this with most people but it seems this always stood out to me about Grandpa, maybe this being due to the fact that it was unchanging in its nature.
It was a deep tone, always seemingly ready to provide a moment of comical insight. Looking back on the conversations we had, I can remember almost every sentence ending in some type of laughter. This is relevant because no matter the condition I saw Grandpa in, nothing ever seemed to bother him.
I will never forget his calm confident humor.
Nicholas Coffee
Grandpa was always great bringing photos to life. When you would speak to him he would reference a photo and launch into a related heartfelt story. He had a special place in his heart for all of his grandchildren. He often gave special attentive attention to the girls - making sure everything was good and remembering your special interests - summer camp, an upcoming race or a new job.
Amanda Coffee
Remembrance of Al Coffee
When I was in college in New York in the late 80s, I had the chance to help grandpa out with his work on the New York City marathon. My dad had run in the marathon a few times, and grandpa had run in it as well. So it was that grandpa came to be involved with the New York Roadrunners Club, and to help organize the big annual race.
Dad had taken us to the event when he was running, so in a year when he was not there, and I was in town for college, I joined grandpa in Central Park to see what I could do. He was in charge of organizing volunteers around the finish line. I was entrusted with carrying water, blankets, and other supplies from one place to another.
A few things stand out in my memory of the experience. There was, of course, the beauty of the Central Park in October, with the red and gold leaves on the trees, and a few scuttling underfoot. But what I remember most of all was watching grandpa that day. He worked assiduously at getting the volunteers in the right places—leading exhausted runners through the finish line process, getting them the supplies they needed, bundling them off to rest and meet their families.
Amid this work, what drew him out above all, where he put most of his energy, was in encouraging the slower runners taking their last tired strides to the finish. He would say, “You look beautiful!” to someone plodding along who looked like they had nothing left to give. The runner would immediately perk up, give a weak smile, and step a little lighter. To someone laboring with uneven steps, grandpa would say, “That’s it, you’re almost home now!” The runner would find a new, smoother rhythm, and lope to the end. These later arrivals didn’t have a lot of fanfare, so no doubt any cheering would have given them a boost. But there was something about the authority and confidence grandpa projected that really lifted them up and sped them onward. More than simply being polite, with just a few words, he gave them the sense that he really knew they could do it, because he knew that they were good, courageous people. All of this came across in his tone of voice, his bearing, his glance. The more a runner was laboring, the more he stepped up to encourage them.
I took his kindness as a lesson then, and keep with me now in my memory of grandpa. As a sophomoric college student, I was tempted to think that offering soothing words to someone in distress could be a sort of falsehood, a turning away from the truth of a bad situation one needed to face. But encouragement can bring hope, and hope itself can transform our view of the world—sometimes it can transform the world itself. This was a truth that grandpa understood deeply. He also understood that opportunities to bring hope to others were all around us, in our work, hobbies, and daily routines.
In his generosity and care for me, one of the things I remember best was the little squeeze he would give my shoulder from time to time. A little gesture, one would think, but it carried that same confidence, energy, and warmth. I keep this too among the many gifts that grandpa gave me.
Neil Coffee
My grandfather. There are so many wonderful memories I have…..our vacation at the lake in Massachusetts, watching him work races with the Road Runners Club, summers at the Jersey Shore and so many more. I cherish them all. But what I will always cherish the most are the memories of those simple visits and that in his presence I always felt like a princess. The visits that maybe didn’t seem like much, but sure made a lasting impression on me.
Their apartment in New York always had the aroma of fresh coffee and the sounds of classic jazz on the stereo. I was always amazed at how much stuff was in that little apartment, yet it didn’t feel stuffed. It was so welcoming. Grandpa liked to have things organized and clean. I was always entertained watching him wash the dishes clean before putting them in the dishwasher. I am proud to have inherited some of those cleaning and organizing skills as well as a love for jazz and an appreciation for a good cup of coffee. As a kid, the highlight of my visit with Grandpa was after dinner. I don’t think there was ever a night that we didn’t have ice cream. Vanilla ice cream. Grandpa loved his ice cream even more than I did. I was just overjoyed that an adult still had a love for what I considered a “kid thing”.
Every moment I spent with Grandpa he treated me like a princess. I never felt anything but an overwhelming amount of unconditional love from him. It seemed as if he could see no wrong in me. I truly felt the same about him. God Bless you Grandpa. I find comfort in knowing that you are with Grandma and Tom once again, walking the streets of gold. I will miss you so much.
Karen Coffee Sanchez
"Hello Kathy and Michael,
What a great, great guy. He was always "my favorite uncle" I loved his charm and his easy way with people. I have been sorry not to have seen him in recent years but I do feel happy about having visited him once in Muskegon and knowing him in that
setting as well as NYC times. What a great long life. I imagine you will miss him very much.
Sue Coffee"
Kathy,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad, I am glad I got to know him
while visiting my Mother(Patti H) in Dayspring, he was always so kind to
me & my husband. I am also glad I got to meet you at the picnic.
My thoughts are with you & your family at this time.
Remember all the good times with your Father, they are priceless!
Karen Gartland
