Robert L. Coffin
...retired from Roberto Bros., Local 4; age 77
TEWKSBURY - Robert L. Coffin, age 77, a member of Machine Operator’s Union, Local 4, for
over 45 years, died peacefully at his Tewksbury Home, on Sunday, Feb. 20th after a lengthy
illness. He was the husband of Annamae E. (Foley) Coffin, with whom he had celebrated a 46th
wedding anniversary this past Sept. 14th.
He was born in Lexington, on June 12, 1927 a son of the late Everett and Sophia (Jones) Coffin.
He was raised in Arlington and graduated from Arlington High School. He had lived in
Tewksbury since 1964.
Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served in the Pacific aboard the USS Los
Angeles. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.
He was a member of Boston’s Local 4, Operating Engineers, and had worked as a heavy
equipment operator for Roberto Brothers in Burlington and Billerica for more than 45 years.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Robert M. Coffin of VA; three daughters and two sons-
in-law, Patricia Patierno and her husband James of Groton, Christina M. Coffin of FL, and
Colleen Fentross and her husband Peter of Tewksbury; two sisters and a brother-in-law; Barbara
Janus of Quincy, Helen Knowles and her husband Dr. William Knowles, M.D. of Mich; a brother-
in-law and two sisters-in-law, Joseph Foley and his wife Patricia (Hayes) Foley of Tewksbury,
and Julia Quinn of Medford; seven grandchildren, James, Amanda, Evan, and Stephen Patierno,
Jessie, Julia, and Timothy Fentross; and many nieces and nephews.
His funeral service was held Thursday,
Feb. 24, in the funeral home. Burial was in Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the
Lowell General Cancer Center, c/o Foundation Office, 295 Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854 will
be appreciated.