Harry Coffey

After watching his favourite baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, win their game, Harry Coffey fell asleep before he peacefully passed away the afternoon of May 2nd at Southbridge Pinewood.

Throughout his life, Harry was known for his big personality, don’t-mess-with-me attitude, and playful nature. When you were around Harry, it was difficult not to enjoy his infectious personality. His one liners could light up a room with laughter. Harry knew who he was. He was proud and willful by nature, yet generous and fun-loving, friendly to everyone he met. His philosophy was simple: I’ll be good to you, if you are good to me.

Born in Port Arthur on September 19, 1934 to Andrew and Elsie Coffey, Harry grew up in Fort William where he spent his whole life.

Harry had the luck of the Irish. He often won at cards, games, and random bets. He once scored a hole in one at playing golf at the Fort William Country Club. Though Harry might attribute this more to skill than luck…

His luckiest moment, however, happened when he met his future wife at a bus stop while she was waiting for a bus with her friend. On February 4, 1959, Harry and Helen Coffey married. It wasn’t the perfect wedding. Harry broke his leg running into a car bumper chasing a fly ball at ball game. His leg was broken so badly, a steel plate was put in his shin. This injury didn’t stop him from his wedding day with the supporting help of his crutches. Harry and Helen remained together for almost 50 years before her untimely death.

For nearly all his life, Harry loved sports. Harry was an exceptional athlete and competed on many of the local sports teams throughout the 1950s until the 1970s. He was a player and coach for the Club 17 Clubbers, one of the top fastball league teams in the city at that time. He also played broomball for Andersons, known for his tough style of play.

Harry’s first love was football, playing Defensive End for the Fort William Redskins. His beloved coach, Baldy James, said Harry was the best football player he had ever coached. He was offered free agent tryouts for several CFL teams, which he declined to get married and work.

In the second half of his life, Harry spent much of his time at the Fort William Country Club where he loved to play golf. It’s a game he grew to love – even more when he was winning…

Harry worked in the grain industry as a Grain Trimmer, loading grain vessels. He was a "white hat" at both Saskatchewan wheat pool 15 (now MIT) and at Manitoba Pool 1. He would work there for 48 years.

Travel was a big priority to Harry. Even when he grew older and his body said no, Harry’s brain said yes! And off he went to such locations as Morocco, Spain, Germany, The Czech Republic, Alaska and the Caribbean.

He always enjoyed the simpler pleasures. A good bbq steak in the backyard. A rum and coke at the Adanac Hotel. Driving in his New Yorker. A cinnamon twist from Holland Bakery. A summer sitting out on lawn chairs with his family and friends playfully ribbing his brothers Bob and Andy.

He was a source of great memories for so many family members and friends. He was a big presence you loved to have around. His stories will continue for a very long time.

He is survived by his children Allen (Melanie), Laurie (Tom), Lisa (Jack), and David (Abs), his grandchildren, Amie (Steve), Rachel (David), Brittany (Marc), Neil (Stephanie), Jordan (Cory), Nathan (Kate), Delaney and Tierney. His great grandchildren Finley, Maddie, Myles and Mabel. His big brother Bob (Betty), his lovely sister Lilly (Bob). He is predeceased by his true love and wife Helen, and his “Hollywood” brother Andy (Roberta). He is also predeceased by his parents Andrew and Elsie.

Our family would like to give special thanks to the brave and thoughtful staff at Pinewood Southbridge. It is with their help that Harry was kept as comfortable and safe as possible during Covid. It was a very difficult year for care homes this past year. Pinewood Southbridge navigated the storm expertly.

Due to the current pandemic restrictions, funeral arrangements will be limited to family on May 29, 2021.  There will be a Celebration of Life to celebrate Harry later in the year when we are all able to meet up again.  Stay tuned!

In lieu of flowers, please donate to PRO kids https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/recreation/donate.aspx or the charity of your choice.