Richard J. Coffee Sr., 92, of Lawrenceville passed away Sunday, February 19 at Merwick Care & Rehabilitation Center in Plainsboro. Born in Lawrenceville, he was a lifetime resident.

Mr. Coffee was a graduate of Princeton High School and of the U.S. Maritime Academy, he was a veteran of World War II and during his service he served as an Ensign with the Merchant Marines where he escorted convoy runs that took him to 20 countries in the European and Mediterranean theaters. After the war he entered the consumer finance business and quickly moved up the corporate ladder. He started his own financial business, Town Financial Corp., where he served as President from 1957 to 1982.

Richard served in numerous elected and appointed political positions as well as many governmental positions over a period of forty years. He was elected to public office in his home town of Lawrenceville in 1954 and he was the second mayor of Lawrence Township in 1957. During his time as Mayor he formed the first Recreation Department. He went on to serve as a Mercer County Freeholder for twelve years including several terms as Director. During his time as a Freeholder he was a founder of the Mercer County Park Commission and was a key figure in the development of the Mercer County Airport, Mountainview Golf Course and Belle Mountain Ski Area. He is considered by many to be the “father” of the Mercer County Park System. Richard was elected to the State Legislature where he served as a State Senator from 1968-1972. He spent four years as a member of the Joint Appropriations Committee and two years as Assistant Minority Leader of the Senate. During his long political career Richard served as Mercer County Democratic Party Chairman, New Jersey State Democratic Chairman, Campaign Chairman for Brendan Byrne and Executive Director of the New Jersey General Assembly, a position he held for 17 years until his retirement in 1992.

Richard was an outstanding athlete and was an avid golfer. He was the recipient of dozens of awards and citations over the years as a citizen, businessman, politician and athlete but golf was his passion. He was the 1955 Trenton Country Club Golf Champion and 1958 Mercer County Men’s Golf Champion. He could often be found at Trenton Country Club, Mountain View, Princeton Country Club or Hopewell Valley Country Club playing a round. He was awarded the James E. Cryan Memorial Achievement Award and the U.S.T.A. citation for the promotion of tennis. He was also inducted into the Mercer County Tennis Hall of Fame in 1996. Richard is an Exempt Member of the Lawrenceville Vol. Fire Co. and is an active member of St. Ann’s R.C. Church in Lawrenceville.

After retiring in 1992 Richard enjoyed traveling, golfing, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He loved hosting family parties, his trips to the jersey shore, and watching the Yankees. Most of all he enjoyed spending time at Mercer County Park watching people enjoy the facilities. He truly loved the amount of use and diversity of venues the park hosted – Always brought a smile to his face.

Richard was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn F. Coffee, daughter Susie K. and his six siblings, Donald M., Maurice P., Charles F., George R., Katherine H. and Joseph N, Coffee. He is survived by his best friend Marie Luberto and his children and their spouses, Richard J. Coffee Jr. of Catskill, NY and domestic partner Mary Weber; Barbara Zeis and her husband Tom of Newtown, PA; Nancy Coffee of East Windsor; Patricia Coffee of Hopewell and Michael Coffee and his wife Francine of Cranbury; grandchildren, Erika and Jessica Zeis of Newtown, PA; Christin Migliore and her husband Massimiliano of Yardley, PA; Christopher Maffei of Hopewell; Harrison, Connor and Brendan Coffee of Cranbury; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held, 9am to 11am on Friday, Feb. 24 at The Church of Saint Ann, 1253 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11am. Interment will follow in Lawrenceville Cemetery, Lawrenceville.

In lieu of flowers donations in Richard’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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