Russell B. Coen, “Russ,” age 75 years, passed away peacefully, at 6:45 p.m., on September 3, 2022, at Country Arch Care Center, Pittstown, NJ.

Born in Orange, NJ, November 14, 1946, son of the late James Russell and Eleanor Heary Coen. Russ grew up in Union, NJ, where he attended St. Michael’s and served for many years as an altar boy at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. He graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ, in 1964, and received a B.S. degree from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City in 1968. He went on to teach math at Seton Hall Preparatory for several years upon graduation. He was most beloved by both the faculty and students for his clever and unique approach to math combined with his quick wit in the classroom. He also taught at several other high schools later in life, including Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River, while he was residing in Island Heights, NJ.

At the young age of 4, Russ first became interested in stamp collecting. He especially loved learning about history and the world through stamps and postcards. As years went by, this interest in philately became a passion. In the late 1970’s, he opened a concession within the A & S department store in the Paramus Park mall, at which he was a stamp dealer. He met dozens of fellow philatelists during this time and maintained many of these friendships throughout his life.

Since high school, another integral part of Russ’ life was his deep love for bowling. One of his greatest accomplishments was that he had bowled in many tournaments and leagues throughout the years and bowled several perfect 300’s as a semi-professional. His home was filled with trophies from his many high scoring games. He was even featured in photographs in the Time Life series on bowling as a model demonstrating perfect form.

In the late 1990’s, he retired to Frenchtown where his sister and her family resided. He took to the town immediately and became associated with the American Legion right from the start. He became fast friends with many of his fellow Legion members—as he did with most groups of people with whom he interacted throughout his life. Throughout the years, he befriended many people all over town. He was an extremely smart and witty man and was always very good at trivia—due, in part, to his inquisitive nature when researching all the places and history of the stamps he collected. In Frenchtown, he hosted a regular Trivia night at The Rat—and he received much joy when preparing questions for these weekly gatherings.

A true multi-talent, Russ was also a very gifted musician. He played guitar and piano completely by ear and could play and sing along to almost any tune he had heard even just once. Karaoke with Russ was a blast and his knowledge of rock’n’roll songs and music history was unparalleled.

He will be missed greatly by so many friends and family for being a truly caring, loyal, smart, witty, positive, entertaining, and all-around fun guy.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, James Russell Coen & Eleanor Heary Coen, as well as his sister, Marilyn Vespoli.

He is survived by his sister, Janice Stillhard, of Bisbee, Arizona; nieces, Liza Stillhard of Portland, Oregon, Candace Vespoli and Michelle Mariconi of Sarasota, Florida, and Lauren Vespoli of St. Petersburg, Florida; a nephew, Steve Mariconi of Paramus, NJ; and many dear friends.

All are invited to join the family for a graveside service on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. in Frenchtown Cemetery, 53 Trenton Avenue, Frenchtown, NJ 08825. Everyone is requested to meet directly at the cemetery on Friday morning at 11:15 a.m. Kindly follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Please join the family at the Frenchtown American Legion, 510 Harrison Street, Frenchtown, NJ 08825, for a Celebration of Life, from 1:00-5:00 p.m., for all to share memories of Russ.

You are encouraged to visit Russ’ permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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