Francis J Coffey Appleton, Wisconsin Obituary

Francis J Coffey

<p>Francis Coffey passed away at home, with family present, on Thanksgiving Day at the age of 81. He was born on July 16, 1939, to the late Arthur and Marie Coffey of Freedom, Wisconsin.&nbsp; He graduated from St. Norbert High School, DePere, and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Marquette University, Milwaukee. He was joined in marriage to Sandra (Hankwitz) at St. Therese Catholic Church on September 8, 1962. She was the love of his life for the next 58 years.<br /> <br /> Fran dedicated his career to Coffey Insurance Services, Inc. in Freedom, WI. for fifty years, a business started by his father that continues today through his brother, Robert. He loved his work. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Cathy VanderLogt, who worked loyally with Fran through all of those years and remains there to this day.<br /> <br /> Fran was recognized as a leader in his field, gaining recognition for early use of computers and software to automate processes that were adopted broadly in the insurance business. He loved technology and was always at the leading edge. He was a very early owner of a personal computer and taught himself how to write code to create software to help run his business. He was a charter member of the Freedom Lions Club. His passion for others kept him connected to countless people who relied on him as a trusted friend and confidant. Fran never forgot anyone he met, and those who met Fran never forgot him. Above all, his family meant the world to him and he never missed an opportunity to spend time with them. His family is what always brought him the most joy!<br /> <br /> From birth, Fran overcame many physical challenges, and he was always curious and always learning. He was an avid photographer and had his own darkroom. A photo he took on the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland won first place in a contest. He and Sandy loved traveling, especially their trips to Ireland. He loved music of all kinds. He was an audiophile and built his own amplifiers, stereos and speakers. He had his own sailboat, which he kept at his father&#39;s cottage and he loved boating.<br /> <br /> Perhaps most notably, he earned a private pilot license. He had been told it would never be possible for someone with his physical disabilities to fly an airplane. Fran did the impossible and his story was told in newspapers throughout the country. His accomplishment inspired people from around the country and as a result many reached out to Fran for encouragement. He was part owner of an airplane and flew for decades. Fran had countless adventurous stories he loved to tell, including an engine failure in mid-flight that forced an emergency landing in a farmer&#39;s field outside of Waupaca.<br /> <br /> Fran&#39;s core was not his many accomplishments, but it was his heart. He had an unwavering faith in God. He was selfless and made everyone feel comfortable. He had a great talent for finding a connection with everyone he met. He loved to chat with family, friends, neighbors and customers. Strangers quickly became friends. He was a storyteller and loved to listen to the stories of others. We are certain that some of you have heard some of his stories more than once. He loved his many cousins and orchestrated reunions that brought joy to the family.<br /> <br /> He is survived by his loving wife Sandy, his children Ann (Mike), Tim (Cathy), Jeff (Laura), and Steve, his adored grandchildren, his brother Bob (Mary), and a host of cousins and extended family that meant the world to him.<br /> <br /> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private mass was celebrated for immediate family with Father James Jugenheimer officiating at St. Pius X Catholic Parish on Tuesday, December 1, followed by entombment in the Star of Hope Mausoleum at Appleton Highland Memorial Park Cemetery.<br /> <br /> Over the last years of his life, one of Fran&rsquo;s most meaningful and exciting interests was serving as a board member of the Freedom Area Historical Society. Fran wanted to always preserve and carry on the legacy of his beloved small village of Freedom, where he grew up. If anyone longs to do something in remembrance of Fran, a contribution in his name could be made to the Freedom Area Historical Society at N4045 McHugh Road, Freedom, WI 54131.<br /> <br /> Welcome him Lord to your garden of rest,<br /> For here on earth he was one of your best.</p>
July 16, 1939 - November 26, 202007/16/193911/26/2020
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Obituary

Francis Coffey passed away at home, with family present, on Thanksgiving Day at the age of 81. He was born on July 16, 1939, to the late Arthur and Marie Coffey of Freedom, Wisconsin.  He graduated from St. Norbert High School, DePere, and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Marquette University, Milwaukee. He was joined in marriage to Sandra (Hankwitz) at St. Therese Catholic Church on September 8, 1962. She was the love of his life for the next 58 years.

Fran dedicated his career to Coffey Insurance Services, Inc. in Freedom, WI. for fifty years, a business started by his father that continues today through his brother, Robert. He loved his work. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Cathy VanderLogt, who worked loyally with Fran through all of those years and remains there to this day.

Fran was recognized as a leader in his field, gaining recognition for early use of computers and software to automate processes that were adopted broadly in the insurance business. He loved technology and was always at the leading edge. He was a very early owner of a personal computer and taught himself how to write code to create software to help run his business. He was a charter member of the Freedom Lions Club. His passion for others kept him connected to countless people who relied on him as a trusted friend and confidant. Fran never forgot anyone he met, and those who met Fran never forgot him. Above all, his family meant the world to him and he never missed an opportunity to spend time with them. His family is what always brought him the most joy!

From birth, Fran overcame many physical challenges, and he was always curious and always learning. He was an avid photographer and had his own darkroom. A photo he took on the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland won first place in a contest. He and Sandy loved traveling, especially their trips to Ireland. He loved music of all kinds. He was an audiophile and built his own amplifiers, stereos and speakers. He had his own sailboat, which he kept at his father's cottage and he loved boating.

Perhaps most notably, he earned a private pilot license. He had been told it would never be possible for someone with his physical disabilities to fly an airplane. Fran did the impossible and his story was told in newspapers throughout the country. His accomplishment inspired people from around the country and as a result many reached out to Fran for encouragement. He was part owner of an airplane and flew for decades. Fran had countless adventurous stories he loved to tell, including an engine failure in mid-flight that forced an emergency landing in a farmer's field outside of Waupaca.

Fran's core was not his many accomplishments, but it was his heart. He had an unwavering faith in God. He was selfless and made everyone feel comfortable. He had a great talent for finding a connection with everyone he met. He loved to chat with family, friends, neighbors and customers. Strangers quickly became friends. He was a storyteller and loved to listen to the stories of others. We are certain that some of you have heard some of his stories more than once. He loved his many cousins and orchestrated reunions that brought joy to the family.

He is survived by his loving wife Sandy, his children Ann (Mike), Tim (Cathy), Jeff (Laura), and Steve, his adored grandchildren, his brother Bob (Mary), and a host of cousins and extended family that meant the world to him.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private mass was celebrated for immediate family with Father James Jugenheimer officiating at St. Pius X Catholic Parish on Tuesday, December 1, followed by entombment in the Star of Hope Mausoleum at Appleton Highland Memorial Park Cemetery.

Over the last years of his life, one of Fran’s most meaningful and exciting interests was serving as a board member of the Freedom Area Historical Society. Fran wanted to always preserve and carry on the legacy of his beloved small village of Freedom, where he grew up. If anyone longs to do something in remembrance of Fran, a contribution in his name could be made to the Freedom Area Historical Society at N4045 McHugh Road, Freedom, WI 54131.

Welcome him Lord to your garden of rest,
For here on earth he was one of your best.

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