Believing in the promise of eternal life, Patrick J. Coffey made his final journey on this earth on Sunday evening, September 6, 2026.
Pat was born in Freedom, WI on October 2, 1943, to Herman and Marie (Murphy) Coffey. The Coffey family was well known for proudly celebrating its Irish heritage in a community rich with fellow descendants of Irish ancestry.
Pat is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carla (Vandertie) Coffey and three children, Christopher (Lori Bauman) Coffey, Scottsdale, AZ; Timothy (Colleen) Coffey, Westport, CT; and Meghan (David) DeMore, Mequon, WI. Together, they blessed Pat with seven grandchildren, each of whom he loved deeply and in whom he took immense pride: Caitlyn and Ryan Coffey; Caroline, Kathleen, and Ainsley Coffey; and the two "littles," Donovan and Mariella DeMore, who arrived later and reminded their Papa that everything was right with the world. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Ron and Reggie Vandertie and Ed Harding; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Vandertie and Lori Harding, and his Greenwood nieces and nephews whom he often referred to as brothers and sisters: John, Jim, Dan, Bill, Joe and Jeananne Greenwood, Julie Rooyakers and JoAnn Paluch. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Tom Greenwood, and brother-in-law Scott Vandertie.
Three educational institutions held a special place in Pat's heart. The first was Abbot Pennings High School in De Pere, where he distinguished himself as Senior Class President and Valedictorian. The second was the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he spent four memorable years as an undergraduate. Among his proudest accomplishments there were serving as Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper and being selected to write the Class History during his senior year. After graduating in 1965, his Class History was praised as "a work of art," thoughtfully capturing a pivotal moment in American history, including the assassinations, civil unrest, and the growing movement to "give peace a chance." It can be found here: https://bit.ly/1965HC The third institution was the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), where Pat devoted 40 years of service. He began as a teacher in the General Studies Department before becoming Dean of Students and later Vice President of Student Life. Throughout his career, he profoundly influenced generations of students, colleagues, and the university community through his leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to student success. With this commitment, his leadership skills, spirit of teamwork, and well-articulated insights (along with his award-winning smile), he was a major force in helping to transform a very creditable trade school to the well-respected and fully-accredited university MSOE is today. Words cannot fully express the affection Pat held for each of these institutions or the impact they had on his life. Throughout his career, he lived by a simple but enduring philosophy: always give students the benefit of the doubt. It was a principle that earned him deep respect and reflected the kindness, wisdom, and generosity that defined his life. Pat’s remarkable vocabulary and gift for eloquence made him a sought-after speaker for countless presentations, speeches, family celebrations and invocations.
Among the addresses he treasured most were his father-of-the-bride speech at his daughter’s wedding, the heartfelt eulogy he delivered at the funeral of his mother-in-law, Ella Mae Vandertie, the commencement address to the Sturgeon Bay High School graduating class of 1992, and the many occasions on which he offered the Irish Blessing to graduating classes at MSOE. A reflection on Pat’s life would be incomplete without acknowledging one of the greatest challenges he faced: addiction. It was a severe and difficult test in his life, and one that required a long and arduous journey to overcome. Through perseverance, courage, and the support of those who loved him, Pat found his way to recovery. In time, what had once been his greatest challenge became perhaps his greatest contribution. Having walked that difficult path himself, Pat developed a deep compassion for others facing addiction, giving him the opportunity to offer hope, understanding, and support to others, and turning a painful chapter of his own life into a source of strength and service to those around him.
Funeral services for Pat will be held at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Rosiere at 11:00 am Saturday, September 12, 2026, with visitation at the church that day from 9:30 am until the time of mass. Interment will take place at St. Michael Cemetery in Misiere, located adjacent to the Vandertie family farm. Forbes Funeral Home of Sturgeon Bay is serving the family. On Sunday, September 13, family and friends are invited to a memorial gathering at River Club of Mequon (12400 North Ville Du Pard Drive, Mequon, WI 53092) which will include music, memories, memorabilia, prayer and refreshments. There will be socializing from noon until 2:15 pm when a tribute will be conducted by family members. Memorial donations can be made to Rawhide Youth Services (rawhide.org/give-to-rawhide) or the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization (misswisconsin.org/.payment).
