CHARLES H. FLYNN HUMANITARIAN AWARD |
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The 1999 Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award
William Coffey
In recognition of "outstanding volunteer leadership" in the Lower Naugatuck Valley
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Former Flynn Award Winner Jack Costigan (R) is shown congratulating his good friend Bill Coffey afer Costigan made the presentaion to Bill at United Way's Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner. |
William Coffey was the winner of the 1999 Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian award presented by Valley United Way. Bill Coffey is a local fellow, who has never forgotten his Valley roots. After receiving Elementary and High School education in Shelton, he headed to Chestnut Hill, MA., where he earned a BS in Chemistry (Cum Laude) from Boston College. Later on Bill also graduated from the University of New Haven School of Executive Development.
After graduating from B.C., Bill began his career with Sponge Rubber Products Company, Shelton, in 1951. He remained there until March 1, 1975 when Plant 4 of Sponge Rubber was firebombed and the company went out of business.
Bill and a former co-worker and very personal friend, Steve Kordiak, formed Latex Foam Products and they began operations with 14 employees in a Shelton facility in early 1977. The business grew and in 1984 relocated to its present site in Ansonia, where it employs 220 people. Another 80 employees work out of state.
Bill not only received a fine education at Boston College but he also met Mary Martin, who became Mrs. Bill Coffey. Together they have raised 3 children, John, Dick and Maureen and the children have given Bill and Mary 5 wonderful grandchildren.
The Coffey family has resided in Derby, Woodbridge and West Haven. Bill’s church has always played a key role in his life. He was a member of Legion of Mary at St. Mary’s Parish, Derby; St. Jude Parish, Derby and Assumption Parish, Woodbridge. He also served as President of St. Jude and Assumption Legion of Mary as well as a mass commentator at St. Jude. Presently Bill and Mary are both active parishioners at Our Lady of Victory Parish, West Haven.
He has always found time for community volunteer organizations as evidenced by the following: active corporator – Griffin Hospital, active corporator and Vice-President of the Hewitt Foundation, active corporator – Birmingham Foundation and former member of the Board of Directors of Birmingham Enterprises, active corporator, campaign worker and former member of the Board of Directors of the Valley United Way.
Bill also remains active in professional organizations such as Manufacturers Alliance of Connecticut, Connecticut Rubber Group, Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society and Rubber Manufacturers Association.
Recognition was given to Bill in 1995 when the Valley Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians named him Irishman of the Year. This was followed in 1996, when he received the Birmingham Foundation’s Good Neighbor Award. Probably Bill’s greatest award is the fact that the 3 Coffey children are active in the operation of Latex Foam Products. .
Bill’s style has always been very "low-key". The majority of his "good deeds" have gone unnoticed except to the recipient and to Bill and Mary. Though that has always been his approach, Valley United Way is pleased to present him with this award and to acknowledge his enormous contributions to the community down through the years.
Bill Coffey passed away on December 31, 2007.at the age of 80.
Learn more about the Charles H.
Flynn Humanitarian Award:
Past Winners of the Award
