Obituary of Paul D. Coffin

Paul D. Coffin, aged 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 23, 2023 after a brief illness.

Paul was born in Boston and lived in Mission Hill until his family moved to Duxbury. He attended public school and was a cheerleader for Duxbury’s basketball team. The eldest of what would be thirteen children, Paul unenrolled from school in the eighth grade and started working to help support the family. Paul worked at O’Neil’s cow farm and at LaGreca’s chicken farm. He received a painting apprenticeship from M. L. McDonald Painting Company Contractors and began working with his father painting single family homes as well as the detailed gold leaf in churches all around Boston.

He joined the Army of the United States in 1958 and was stationed in Germany where he earned his G.E.D. While there, he worked on the Honest John missile system and became a trained mechanic. He received an honorable discharge in 1963 after his father passed away unexpectedly and returned home to help support his mother and twelve siblings once again.

Paul worked as a mechanic for many years. In his professional years, he worked for UPS, Carey’s Automotive in Whitman, MA, General Motors in Boston, and eventually retired from Ryder Trucks. Even after his retirement, he continued to work for Carey Auto and Truck Equipment in Plympton, MA. Paul enjoyed car racing in its many forms and was able to attend the 100th running of the Indy 500, a favorite race of his. He quahogged and clammed for many years at Duxbury Beach. On Wednesdays, he played cribbage in leagues over the years. He was an avid and active union brother with the 447th Machinists Union, ready and willing to assist in union business whenever asked. As a retiree, Paul became Retiree Coordinator for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He also took great pride in volunteering with the Guide Dogs of America, working the raffles to raise money for the organization during their annual golf tournament fundraiser.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Jean (Cretinon) Coffin; his children Dawn Coffin and fiancé Warren Carey, Nikki Coffin, Shawn Coffin and partner Cheryl Birch, Heather Bolintiam-Pooler and husband Kevin Pooler, and Justin Coffin; his grandchildren Andrew Coffin and wife Dani, Samantha Coffin and husband Jeff Harrington, Julian Coffin-Hadfield, Liam Bolintiam, Megan Bolintiam, Jacob Pooler, Lillian Pooler, Gabriel Lima, Aidan Coffin, and Declan Coffin; his great-grandchildren Isaac and Eden Coffin; his siblings Barbara Sjostedt and husband Wayne, John Coffin and partner Roberta, Mary Derochea, Gertrude ‘Trudy’ Lavin and husband Ted, and Judy Davis; in addition to many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Paul is predeceased by his parents Daniel Coffin and Gertrude (Mahoney) Coffin; his siblings Madeline Chase, Janet Hart, Rose Coffin, Tommy Coffin, Carolyn Coffin, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Holmes, Daniel Coffin, and his grandson Ryan.

Visiting hours will be held at Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, Kingston, MA on Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, March 31 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 575 Monponsett Street (Route 58), Halifax, MA with burial to follow. There will be a gathering after his funeral and burial services to celebrate Paul’s life at 1 pm at Venus III, 252 Main Street, Hanson, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Guide Dogs of America on their website www.guidedogsofamerica.org.