With sadness we share the news of the death of the Rev. Kevin P. J. Coffey, SCP, a/CSJB, at age 70 on May 22, 2025 at Newark Beth Israel Hospital.
Kevin served as rector of Atonement, Fair Lawn from October 2000 until his retirement in December 2024. During his time in the Diocese of Newark, he served multiple terms on Diocesan Council; Cathedral Chapter (Class of 2001); Constitution & Canons (2015-present); the Disciplinary Board; the Commission for Women’s Ministries (1999-2005); on the Diaconal Ordination Committee founded by Bishop Croneberger; with the diocesan Taizé ministry in the early 2000’s; on the Isaiah Team; and as the original Co-Convener for the Augustine of Hippo Regional Ministry Network. He was a member of the Cursillo community and an Associate of the Community St. John Baptist.
His wife Kathy shares this obituary:
Born in Lackawanna, NY in 1954 Fr. Kevin joined the United States Army after high school graduation. It was in the Army that he met and married his wife of 47 years, MAJ (Ret) Kathy Propst Coffey. While supporting Kathy’s career as an Army officer, Fr. Kevin earned a bachelor’s degree in math and computer science from Quinnipiac College and in 1988 a Master of Divinity degree from The General Theological Seminary in New York City. Immediately following graduation Deacon Kevin served as assistant to the Episcopal congregation at the United States Military Academy West Point where he was privileged to pastor and mentor cadets at the academy. Following his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Kevin ministered as a priest in the Hudson Valley Ministry. A final Army assignment to Hanau, Germany offered Fr. Kevin opportunities to serve congregations within the American Convocation of Churches in Europe as well as the military community.
His stint as a dependent husband completed, Fr. Kevin moved to Fair Lawn in 1996 to serve in full-time ministry, first as a missioner for the Bergen Episcopal Area Ministry and later as rector of Church of the Atonement from which he retired as Rector Emeritus in December 2024. Fr. Kevin always advocated for shared ministry and service to others. He was active in the Fair Lawn Clergy Association and held various positions of leadership in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. Fr. Kevin also served his community for many years as a leader in Rotary and as chaplain to Boy Scout Troop 53 and the Rochelle Park Fire Department. Fr. Kevin will be remembered for his dedication to sharing the good news of God in Christ, his pastoral care and compassion for others, as well as his unrelenting sense of humor.
In addition to Kathy, Kevin is survived by daughter Keely Coffey and her husband Arton (Tony) Sina; son Kevin Coffey; and grandsons William and Alexander Sina.
Condolences may be sent to the family at 17-14 Radburn Rd. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11 AM at St. Elizabeth’s, Ridgewood (GPS-friendly address for parking lot: 212 California St), and will be live streamed on St. Elizabeth’s YouTube channel.
The family will receive friends at the church chapel just prior to the service, beginning at 10 AM.
A repast will follow the service in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following ministries:
- Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 5121, Boone IA 50950-0121
- Family Promise of Bergen County, 100 Dayton Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
- The Community of St. John Baptist, PO Box 240, Mendham, NJ 07945
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Kevin to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
