Kilborn Bray Coe, Jr., 85, a WWII Merchant Marine Veteran and an Entrepreneur, passed away Feb. 28.
Kilborn Bray Coe, better known as “Peter”, the son of Kilborn Coe and Barbara Brooks Coe, was born in Augusta on May 31, 1921.
Peter graduated form Moses Brown School in Providence, R.I. in 1941, and Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, in the second class of 1943.
He served with distinction in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He obtained his Master License at the age of 26.
While living in Marblehead, Mass., Peter managed his father’s Chevrolet dealership in Everett, Mass., before purchasing his own dealership, Coe Chevrolet, in Augusta.
During this time in Maine, Peter also served as director of the Bank of Maine in Augusta, local state chairman of Maine Automobile Association, and local and state chairman of Ducks Unlimited; he volunteered for Hospice and Meals on Wheels; he was elected to the City Council in Hallowell where he served three terms; he served on the board of the consul in South Bristol; he was a member of local and state boards of CETA, a state Chairman of JOBJA, a member of the Nature Conservancy, president of the Augusta YMCA, a Board member of Central Lincoln County YMCA; and served on the board of “KIDS.”
Peter sold Coe Chevrolet in 1973 and retired. Finding retirement was not to his liking, he opened Peter Coe Realty in Damariscotta. He retired again and moved to Dunnellon, Fla.
For many years, the family owned a home at Sugarloaf, where they enjoyed wonderful friends and skiing.
He was always physically active, and enjoyed swimming, skiing, hunting, fishing, golfing, and using the fitness room at the local country club.
Peter enjoyed meeting and working with people. He had a great sense of humor, thoroughly enjoyed life, and lived it to the fullest.
His wife Betsey Johnson Coe, and daughter Christina Wells Coe pre-deceased him.
Survivors include his son, Jonathon Brooks Coe and wife Miriam of Jamaica Plain, Mass.; sister, Mary Caroline Fernberger of Marblehead, Mass.; wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews who were much loved; and a dear friend, Catherine Ogg.
His ashes will be scattered at sea sometime in the summer.
Memorial Service 11 a.m., Sat., May 19 at the First Church of Boston, 66 Marlborough St., Boston, Mass. For more information and directions, please call Ellen Meyers at (617) 267-6730.
