Studied cabinetmaking in England
By: Staff
HIGHTSTOWN – Mel Robert Coakley, 57, died July 27 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at New Brunswick.
Born in Queens, N.Y., he was raised in Metuchen and moved to Hightstown 15 years ago.
He taught cabinetmaking while living in Nova Scotia and studied in England with master woodturner Peter Child. He operated Rosewood Ventures Ltd., a furniture design and construction company in Canada for eight years. He was also vice president of operations with Midwest Mechanical Contractors, Parsippany. His most recent project was the renovation and expansion of Palmer Hall at Princeton University.
He was a graduate of Metuchen High School and attended Rutgers University.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Coakley; a daughter, Chelsea Morgan Coakley at home; his mother, Anne Coakley of Metuchen; a sister and brother-in-law, Joanne and Dr. Robert Turano of New York; and nieces and nephews.
Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. August 21 at St. Francis Cathedral, Main Street, Metuchen.
Memorial services will be 4 p.m. September 16 at Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, South Mill Road, West Windsor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at New Brunswick, Oncology Nurses Fund, 1 R. W. J. Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
Arrangements are by Huber-Moore Funeral Home, Bordentown.