Obituary of Alexander Alvin Coffin

With sadness, the family of Sandy Coffin announces his sudden passing at home on November 12, 2017. Sandy was born in Gaspé, Québec on June 9, 1944, son of the late Alexander and Marion Coffin. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 48 years, Kathy Coffin, and his brother Leigh Coffin. Sandy is survived by his two sons, Alex Coffin and Marc Coffin (Jennifer); and one daughter, Maggie Coffin Prowse (PJ), all of the Saint John area. He is also survived by his sisters Myrna Landers and Marilyn Miller (Russell); six grandchildren: Alexandra Coffin, Lily Coffin, Jesse Coffin, Ella Coffin, Benjamin Coffin Prowse and Eric Coffin Prowse; and, extended family in NB, Québec, N&L, Alberta, BC and NS. As a young boy in rural Québec, Sandy grew up hunting, fishing and travelling the roads of Gaspé. These interests remained close to his heart his whole life, frequently returning to Gaspé to commiserate with family and friends on his youthful adventures. He learned his steady work ethic under the watchful eye of his father at the family’s carpentry business, Atelier Coffin. His early success as a student pushed him to be a solid educator in his own right, following in the footsteps of his mother. With pride, Sandy graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Allison University; Bachelor of Education degree from University of New Brunswick and Masters of Education from the University of New Brunswick. With his education, Sandy embarked on a career spanning over 30 years as teacher (Oromocto, Labrador City, Grand Bay-Westfield), Vice Principal (Saint John - Barnhill) and finally, Principal (Grand Bay-Westfield - Westfield/Welsford). After 36 years in Saint John, Kathy and Sandy moved to Grand Bay-Westfield next to their daughter and family. Following retirement Sandy enjoyed all things related to literature, cars and hunting. Sandy and Kathy relished their over 40 years of happy times spent with friends and family at the Coffin family cottage in Brackley Beach, PEI and the Coffin homestead in Gaspé, Québec. He enjoyed a reputation as a fair and reasonable man, dedicated to his wife. When not with Kathy, Sandy could be found cackling with his loyal best friend, Mac Taylor. He was a voracious reader and, like his father before him, a sharp conversationalist with an intellectually gifted mind. Sandy is resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John 634-7424 with visiting on Friday, November 17 from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm. Memorial service will be held at Westfield United Church, 133 Nerepis Road, Grand Bay-Westfield on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 11:00am. Donations may be made in Sandy’s memory to the Kidney Foundation.