Charles Marvin Coffey

Chuck Coffey was the Husband of Barbara Cherington Coffey (married August 11, 1957), father of David, Sybil (Roger Cox) and Jennifer Coffey, grandfather of Olivia Coffey, son of Marcus and Ethel Coffey, brother of Louis Coffey, Brother in law of Mickey Cherington (Nancy) Uncle of Macy Coffey (Irena and Sydney) Jessica Coffey, Justin Coffey (Meg, Delaney and Alice), Jennifer Coffey Rawson, Claire Cherington (Sam, Sarah and Adam Austin) David Cherington (Kim, Lindsey, Benjamin, Leah and Shayna) and Jennifer Cherington. This is only the beginning of a long list of cousins and nieces and nephews of Chuck who were involved in his life.

Chuck started his life in humble beginnings as a first generation American, the son of immigrants from Poland and the Ukraine. He was raised in the projects on Pittsburgh and experienced a great deal of anti-Semitism in his youth. So Chuck learned to take care of himself and be his family ‘s defender, a role that would continue and expand beyond his family to his extended family, friends, patients and community.

Chuck lived in the Hill District, Hazelwood, Greenfield and Squirrel Hill, neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.

Chuck attended Burgwin Elementary School, Gladstone Jr High School, Taylor Allderdice High School and University of Pittsburgh Dental School

A multi-disciplined champion athlete, Chuck not only played but excelled at baseball, softball, football, ping-pong, pool, tennis, squash, basketball, and golf.

As a captain in the US Army stationed on the 48th parallel in Korea, he transformed a dirt floor quonset hut into a state of the art dental clinic He started baseball and basketball tournaments for the soldiers

Chuck raised his family in Squirrel Hill. He took care so his kids would not have to repeat his experiences of anti-semitism making sure they lived in a safe liberal environment. When he opened his dental practice there was a line up to the front door. He was the first dentist to hire a dental hygienist in Squirrel Hill, introduced dental hygiene to the community, and thereby raised the dental health and awareness of an entire generation. He practiced for 25 years and was able to retire at the age of 52. He then devoted himself to family, sports, charity, and community.

Chuck conceived the idea and caused to be developed the mural at the intersection of Murray Ave, Pocusset St. and Forward Ave depicting the ethnic diversity of Squirrel Hill.

He was the co-developer of the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, which raised money for young people who couldn’t afford Jewish Community Center memberships. He was a 20 year volunteer with Meals on Wheels and organized art and health programs at Rodef Shalom Congregation. He was the founder and first president of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Pittsburgh Chapter

Chuck and Barbara moved to San Diego in 2008 and enjoyed playing bridge, which became a passion. Chuck organized a very active movie dinner club and art club and led stimulating conversation. Chuck and Barbara participated in Temple Solel, Simcha Chavarah, Humanistic Judaism and the Jewish Collaborative of San Diego (JCoSD)