George B. Coffey

George B. Coffey

DELMAR — George B. Coffey, a man of faith and service, died peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at Shaker Place in Colonie with his family at his side. He was 105.

Born in Binghamton on Aug. 20, 1920, he was a son of the late Rev. Alfred J. and Harriett Carman Coffey. He was raised in Phoenicia, and during his teenage years the family moved to Westerlo, where he resided for almost 70 years. He graduated from Greenville Central School.

“An entrepreneur at heart, George led a varied and industrious career,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He began working at Shepard’s Farm as a teenager, then took a position at Clifford B. Hannay Inc. in Westerlo.

“He had two stints at General Electric in Schenectady, first during World War II (he then was briefly in the Army Air Corps) and again in the 1960s. He then worked in the automotive field, at Wendell Cadillac, King Cadillac, Mason Oldsmobile, Don Allen Chevrolet, and the Delmar Mobile station.

“He also owned and operated United Auto Sales, George Coffey Auto Sales (with his son, Ken), and concluded with operating Budget Rental.

“A man of faith and service, George was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Westerlo. Over the years, he served as a deacon, trustee, and Sunday school superintendent, often transporting children to and from Sunday school. He also sang in the choir, and was a big supporter of missions.

“George was the last original member of the Board of Directors of the Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany. He was a former member of the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company. And all this was just the first century of George’s remarkable life.

“In 2015, George and his late wife Vera moved to Atria Delmar Place (now Peregrine at Delmar Place), where he served as president of the Residents’ Council.

“George made friends quickly wherever he went. He lived a full and amazing life filled with wit and humor. His entertaining stories were filled with 105 years of knowledge. His smile and positive attitude will be missed.”

****

George B. Coffey is survived by his children, Kenneth G. (Dawn) Coffey, and Karen (Cliff) Barber; grandchildren, Kimberly (John) Miller, Colleen Coffey (Dennis Hartmann), Nicholas (Keri) Barber, Amy (Eric) Morgan, and Matthew (Nicki) Barber; and his great-grandchildren, Austin and Jordan Miller, Abigail and Emmeline Barber, Jonah, Lucas, and Andrew Morgan, Ian and Jesse Barber; as well as several nieces and nephews.

His parents, Rev. Alfred J. and Harriett Carman Coffey, died before him, as did his beloved wife, Vera N. Barber Coffey on March 25, 2018, and his siblings, Alfred Coffey, Florence Newman, Ruth Calnon, and Jean Coffey who died at age 4.

A calling hour will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1 until 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Westerlo at 618 State Route 143 in Westerlo. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. in the church, followed by burial in Westerlo Rural Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 S. Pearl St, Albany, NY 12202-1859.

“The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff members of Peregrine/Atria at Delmar Place, Shaker Place in Colonie, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center,” the tribute said, “for the exceptional care that George received.

More Obituaries

  • SLINGERLANDS — Richard N. Rodino, a restaurateur, died on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in his Slingerlands home surrounded by his loving family. He was 69.

    Born on Sept. 29, 1955 in Troy, he was the son of the late Amedeo and Anna Rose Carlotti Rodino and the beloved husband of Lori Bernard Rodino.

  • ROTTERDAM — Ruth S. Dexter, a strong woman who loved and supported her family, died peacefully in her Rotterdam home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. She was 90.

  • Dorance A. “Bud” Mercer of Albany, a proud Army veteran and truck mechanic, died peacefully in the Schenectady Center Rehabilitation Center in Schenectady on Saturday, Aug. 30. 

    He was the son of the late Maurice and Marion Barrett Mercer and the beloved husband of the late Edna Mercer.

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.