Merrill E. “Pete” Coffin, 82, of Loyalton of Lakewood, formerly of 1671 Martin Road, died at 11:10 a.m. on Sunday, December 24, 2006, in Loyalton of Lakewood.
A native of Jamestown, he was born November 4, 1924, the son of George D. and Lillian Anderson Coffin.
He was a 1942 graduate of Jamestown High School, graduated with honors from Regency Art Comprehensive and also graduated in 1950 from Famous Artists Course in Westport, Conn. He served in the National Guard, Company B, 127th Battlion.
Mr. Coffin was the head designer and artist at Union National Furniture Co. from 1945 to 1948, president, designer and artist at Decorolac Co. from 1948 to 1954, advertising manager and art director at Arnot Jamestown, division of Aetna Steel Corp., from 1954 to 1958, was president and vice president of sales and marketing at Adanlock Jamestown, Division of Blasius Industries, and an artist with LC Collectables. He was an award-winning landscape and wildlife artist for many years. He also was a political and sport cartoonist for The Post-Journal for many years.
He was a member of the Chautauqua County Artists Association, Cable Hollow Golf Course and a charter member of Circulus Club. He was an avid fisherman.
Surviving are his son, Thomas E. (Julie) Coffin of Jamestown; two daughters: Sandra L. (Dan) Nagurney of Lakewood and Tabetha J. (Don) Butler of Ashville; eight grandchildren: Laurie J. Kortowich of North Ridgeville, Ohio, James M. Coffin of Frewsburg, Elizabeth A. Gleason of Jamestown, Kerry M. Nagurney of Vail, Colo., Daniel B. Nagurney of Dillon, S.C., Michael S., Peter T., and Molly T. Butler of Ashville; five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Barbara Lundin of West Ellicott.
Mr. Coffin was preceded in death by his wife, Lois V. Collins Coffin, whom he married April 22, 1945, in Bethel Lutheran Church, and who passed away October 8, 2005; a son, Scott M. Coffin, who died July 15, 1980; and a brother, George D. Coffin, who passed away April 24, 1991.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. C. Gordon Bloomberg, retired United Methodist pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday in the funeral home.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Kiantone Fire Department, 2318 Stillwater-Frewsburg Road, Jamestown, NY, 14701 or Jamestown Audubon Society, 1600 Riverside Rd, Jamestown, NY, 14701-9306.
Merrill E Coffin was an award-winning landscape and wildlife artist.
“My favorite subjects are the wharfs, fishing boats, old barns and covered bridges of New England. Every side road, every turn in the road, is a virtual treasure of subject material. My camera, which I have with me all the time, makes it possible for me to capture these marvelous scenes; it is up to me and my paints to make these scene memorable” – Excerpt from an interview in Palatte Talk 1982
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