James Edward Coffey Jr. Obituary
New Ipswich Selectman
December 18, 2024
Obituary posted in the Monadnock Ledger on December 19, 2024.
To share a memory, or to leave the family a message of condolence, please visit Jim’s online tribute page at www.jellisonfuneralhome. com.
James Edward Coffey Jr.
NEW IPSWICH, NH — James E. Coffey Jr, 85, of New Ipswich, NH, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side at Monadnock Community Hospital, in Peterborough, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. He was born in Plainfield, NJ on November 17, 1939, the son of James and Emma (Gehret) Coffey.
Jim grew up in White Plains New York and graduated from White Plains High School in 1957. He participated in varsity sports and was a star of the football team. Jim graduated from Keene State College. He was a United States Army Veteran, 101st Airborne. Jim worked for AT&T as an operations supervisor and manager for over 25 years.
Jim served as a public official since 1981. He was a Selectman of New Ipswich, NH for 22 years, which included service on the Board of Assessors and Planning Board, as well as a Trustee of the New Ipswich Trust Fund. He also served three terms as State Representative.
Jim was a volunteer football coach in New Ipswich for four years. He enjoyed watching football, hockey, and baseball sometimes attending professional games. He also enjoyed bicycling, fishing, spending time with family and friends, and the occasional meal of lobster with oysters and Guinness. Family, Community, Faith, and Veteran’s causes were dear to his heart.
Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marguerite (Connelly) Coffey, of New Ipswich, daughter, Lisa Dodge, son Tim Coffey, son-in-law William Dodge, granddaughter Julianna Dodge, and grandson Ethan Dodge.
Jim’s family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff and providers of Monadnock Community Hospital Oncology and Infusion, and to all the skilled and compassionate professionals at MCH who cared for Jim, the Apostolic Lutheran Church, and to all the friends who knew and shared time with Jim.
Services for Jim will be held Saturday, December 21, at 11:00 AM, at the Apostolic Lutheran Church, 117 Goen Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071. A burial service will be held in the spring of 2025 at Center Cemetery, 29 Villa Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s name to Monadnock Community Hospital’s Oncology and Infusion Department, Attn: Philanthropy, 452 Old Street Rd., Peterborough NH 03458 (https://monadnockcommunityhospital. com/givingmch/) or Apostolic Lutheran Church, Attn: Children’s Playground. 117 Goen Rd. New Ipswich, NH 03071 (https://www. alcnewipswich.org/donate).
Photo of Jim from April 17, 2000
House of Representatives Proclamation in honor of the 250th year of the town's charter. (L-R) Marcia Ober, Jim Coffey, Don Carlson, Jeff MacGillivray
Portrait
Undated portrait from the Burton Family albums which were donated by Dennis Gauvin. Google identifies her as Diane Curtis.
This photo was in one of these albums
Formulas
Stephen A. Thayer’s “One Hundred Formulas” was published in 1883. It contains recipes from everything from printing ink to pain killers. Hydrocyanic acid is guaranteed to stop vomiting as well as other life processes,
James Roger diary entry
December 21, 1908 (Monday)
Frosty fair wind west. David logging for Shirland. Fred called with samples of confectionary. Mrs. Willard called. Showed her my coins. Mrs. Corbett telephoned Mrs. Moore, I wrote to Miss Hardley and Miss Bryce and walked downtown to post them and bought gloves for Hamish. Also bought cards from Shirland got Scotsman with notice of the death of Mrs. Peterson of Leabank and Mr. Hargraves of Eskhill.