Wendell F. Coffin

Wendell Farrar Coffin died peacefully in his home in Glastonbury, CT, on Saturday March 1, at the age of 96. He was born November 9, 1917, in Ashland Maine to the late Ansil Bradford Coffin and Alberta Green Coffin. Wendell grew up during the Great Depression on the family farm in Northern Maine, married Phyllis Marguerite Berry and honorably served his country in the US Army during WWII in the 234th Engineer Combat Battallion.

On D-Day, Wendell landed on Utah Beach, fought through the Hedgerows and earned a Purple Heart outside St. Lo, France where he was wounded in a strafing by a Messerschmitt fighter plane. After recovering, Wendell returned to the front and helped liberate Paris. He continued on across France and Belgium, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, crossed into the Rhineland and shook hands with Russian soldiers outside Berlin. During the war, Wendell served under Generals Eisenhower, Patton and Bradley.

Wendell will be remembered for his kind, generous nature, work ethic and incredible mechanical aptitude – he could fix anything. In 1952, on his own, he built his home in Glastonbury, while working full time and raising a family with Phyllis. Wendell and Phyllis were married for 71 years. He worked for P&W Aircraft for over 35 years, and retired as a Test Cell Supervisor.

Wendell is survived by his wife Phyllis, daughter Carole Shea and husband Dick of Marlborough, and sons Wendell A. Coffin of Colchester, Bradford Coffin and his wife Lori of Colchester and Richard Coffin of Amston. He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Mallory, Jared and Jason Coffin, Kristina Coffin, Richard and Kristin Shea and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first child, Roy Lewis (Benny) Coffin, whom he loved very much, and by his three brothers, Carl, Vaughn and Clyde.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 8 at 3:30pm at Glastonbury Funeral Home, 450 New London Tpk., Glastonbury. Visitation will be prior to the service, from 2-3:30pm. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family would like to recognize the kindness shown Wendell by his caregiver Mzia Shveldze, and the VNA Hospice Team. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Windsor Independent Living Association, 45 Maple Ave., Windsor, CT, 06095 or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.

To leave an online condolence, or visit Wendell’s tribute, please visit www.glastonburyfuneral.com