In Memory
Steven David Coffman
December 1, 1942 ~ April 1, 2023
Steve Coffman (80) of Dundee, died peacefully at home with family during a thunderstorm on April 1, 2023.
Steve grew up in South Bend, Indiana and attended the University of Michigan where he earned both his undergraduate and Master's degrees and also met the love of his life, Bobbie. In 1972, along with their newborn child, Zack, they moved to a defunct farm in Barrington at the top of a hill surrounded by acres of woods. In 1974, they welcomed their second child, Annie, who was born in Geneva General.
Steve was a staunch pacifist, eminently creative, and fiercely independent. He fought for justice, honesty, and the underdog as evidenced by his many thoughtful letters to the editor on all manner of politics and national policy. He fought for a clean earth and he loved the rural life, successfully battling the invasions of both incinerators and frackers over the years. As a writer, in addition to his non-fiction works "Words of the Founders" and "Founders v. Bush", he was best known for his ode to country living "How to Walk a Pig" (Chicken Justice, Hearst 2006). He was immensely proud of his play Drumlins, Dreams, and the Mary Belle which featured all the best local players, and even his daughter, and played to sold out audiences in Dundee for several nights in a row in 1983. Always a poet at heart, later in life he was encouraged by his friend and publisher to hit the road for many readings and other literary adventures. Most recently Steve enjoyed publishing daily writings via Facebook and wrote nearly every day until his very last.
Having been fairly athletic in college, upon arriving in Dundee, Steve promptly joined the slo-pitch softball league in Penn Yan and was known as Wager Apple Barrel's wiley pitcher past the ripe old age of forty. It was there that he developed some of his closest local friendships that lasted the rest of his life.
A sports lover, he took great pleasure in seeing the Cubs win a World Series and watching Michigan beat Ohio State twice in a row, talking about U of M's great recruiting class right to the end.
Having successfully raised two kids and after nearly fifty years in that same home, Steve's wife Bobbie was the first to go after succumbing to brain cancer in 2015. Steve never truly recovered from the loss of his one true love and can now spend eternity chasing her through the heavens.
Steve is survived by his son Zack (Debbie), and daughter Annie (Jason, Xander, and Tommy), and his sisters Ellie and Jeannie and their families.
Zack and Annie will be hosting a celebration of life for local friends of both Steve and Bobbie Coffman on Sunday,(May 28) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Manor House Estate, 9180 County Road 76, Hammondsport, N.Y. 14840. All are welcome to stop by, sit for a while and reminisce on two lives lovingly-lived. Refreshments and finger food will be served. There will be art, books, and many light bulbs free for the taking.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Milly's Pantry in Penn Yan.
https://www.fingerlakesdailynews.com/obituaries/steve-coffman
|