Our parents didn’t just share a life, they shared a rhythm; one that finally fell into a permanent, peaceful silence together. It started with passing glances, shared lunches and short walks at New Hampshire Ball Bearings where they both retired after many years of service. In their 44 years of marriage, you rarely saw one without the other.
Roland Coffin Jr. left us on Feb. 1, and just a short while later, on Feb. 17, Gloria Coffin joined him. To many, this alone would show a true testament to the love they had for each other. However, there was one more thing that showed their dedication to each other. On the morning of Feb. 17, we saw an eagle (his favorite) fly by, circle back and spread his wings in front of her window. The scene was serene and peace filled the room. It was so comforting knowing she would not have to figure out how to live in a world without him. More than likely they were humming their favorite song "Unchained Melody" that described their decades of long love for each other.
They loved taking rides through the mountains or to the ocean. Their favorite thing to do while on these rides was to grab a burger and frozen Coke from McDonald's to share. They had made known to the family that neither was to be buried alone. To honor that wish, we joined their ashes together and shared a final lunch with them at McDonald's.
Nothing was more important to them than their family. They loved gatherings for holidays, fishing, dance recitals, baseball games, motorcycle rides and cookouts. They leave behind their children who will never be able to see those Golden Arches without smiling through the tears: Gail (Michael) Donovan, Donald (Juanita) Sulloway Jr., Heidi (Barry) Kelling, Theresa (Jake) Caldwell, Marc (Nancy) Coffin, and Christopher Coffin; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings and friends they called family.
The family will be having a private service, but ask that you honor them by going for a ride, turn up the radio and grab a burger with that special person in your life.
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