THOMAS C. COAKLEY, 75, of FAIR HAVEN, passed away Thursday, March 6 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank surrounded by his family. Thomas was a resident of Fair Haven for forty-two years. During the Korean Conflict, Thomas served his country with the US Army from 1952 to 1954. He worked as a machine mechanic for the former Lily Tulip, Holmdel, retiring in 1980 after 20 years of service. Thomas was a member of the Christ Church United Methodist, the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Department and the VFW Post, Port Monmouth.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas E. and Alena Coakley; and a brother, Kenneth. Thomas is survived by his wife, Nancy. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July. He is also survived by a son, James C. and his wife, Linda of Neptune; two daughters, Doris A. McBarron and her husband, Thomas of Shrewsbury and Carol J. Drum of Red Bank; a sister, Ella Jean Robinson of Neptune; and two grandchildren, James Carl, Jr. and Allyson Rose.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank with a fireman’s service at 7:30 p.m. and a funeral service at 8:30 p.m.. Interment is private. The family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Fair Haven First Aid Squad, River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704.