Plan for the Future
~~Arthur James Coley of Chatham, died at the Daughters of Israel Home in West Orange on December 16, 2015. He was 58.
Born in Englewood, he grew up in Tenafly and was a 1975 graduate of Tenafly High School. He then attended Messiah College in Harrisburg, PA and finished his studies at Kings College in Briarcliff Manor, NY where he received a BS in Business in 1979. An excellent student and athlete, Art was the only student at Messiah College that had was allowed to play 2 varsity sports during the same season. He was a starting pitcher for the baseball team and playing on the tennis team, even while undergoing chemotherapy.
After graduation, Art worked as a computer consultant, which led him to travel extensively. During this time, he was in such places as France, Italy, South Africa and Jackson Hole, WY. During his 12-year marriage, Art lived in Lakeville, MA and worked for the Standard Times newspaper in New Bedford, MA. He had also worked at as a consultant Newark Star Ledger in the early ‘90’s. Art had relocated to Chatham in 2002 to be near his sister.
Throughout his lifetime, he volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Georgia, New Zealand and Australia. As a volunteer with SAGE Eldercare in Summit he delivered Meals on Wheels every Friday. An avid tennis player, he played in both Chatham and New Providence. He particularly looked forward to playing tennis in the winter with the members of his New Providence Tennis League. He had life-long love of skiing, honing his skills while in Jackson Hole.
Art was a cancer survivor who was diagnosed at 17 years old. He also successfully battled a benign brain tumor at 30 years old. His success, despite his many challenges, was a result of his faith and the power of his Lord Jesus Christ.
He was the beloved son of the late Joseph and Gladys Coley. He was the loving brother of Janet Coley-Lima and her husband Edwin of Chatham and Phyllis Capiaghi and her husband Tom of Chester, NY. He was the cherished uncle of Jessica and her fiancé Sean Carlin, Alyssa, Alex, Amanda, and Zachary. A member of Long Hill Chapel, Art’s family would like to extend a special thank you to his friends for their faithful friendship and support, especially over the last few months- namely Troy & David Kennedy, Debbie Peterson and Chris Lenz.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11 am. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 2-5 & 7-9. Those who wish may contribute in his memory to Long Hill Chapel, 525 Shunpike Rd., Chatham, NJ, 07928.