Joseph Coen Obituary

This really hit me hard. Joe and I served together on the J K POLK. He was always the life of the party.
You were just a better person by having known him and been a friend.
We went through Hurricane Hugo together and turned the aftermath into 8 weeks of "glamping" with friends and hanging out at the pool and cooking meals on gas grills that were the envy of the neighborhood.
The many nights spent standing watch in the Bridge on the surface, some during insane weather, have became fond memories. We had many laughs reminiscing those days. Sadly, I came across this obituary when trying to reach out and say hello.
Joe was a very special guy and the world is a lesser place without him.
Rest in peace Joe and I know that God is with you on your eternal patrol.
- Jim Miller

I am so sorry, I just learned of Joe's passing. I worked with Joe at BAE Systems, Joe was very special and kind to me. In 2012 my brother was given 6 months to live unless he got a lung transplant. My brother had no doctor working to find help for him. When I told Joe about what is happening, he made one phone call to a pulmonary doctor friend of his at MUSC and my brother was immediately seen. The doctor started the process of getting my brother into Duke University for transplant evaluation. However, my brother got an infection and pneumonia and he sadly passed away, but, it was the kind actions Joe took to help a stranger, to provide hope. I am so sorry I did not know about his illness because, I would have loved to be there for him as he was there for me and my brother. I will always consider Joe as one of the kindest people I have ever had the opportunity to know and call my friend. I hope god has provided Joe a special place in heaven because of his true kindness.

Ahhh Joe! See you in the next life - praying for you and family. Has been quite a while - was about to call you.

Joe Coen was a good man and a wonderful father. As a young submarine officer aboard the USS JAMES K. POLK (SSBN 645), the crew could scarcely believe our luck that such a hard-working, smart, decent, humble, and modest man could have issued forth from the Severn River School of Misfit Children. Joe had such good humor, subtle or sharp, a true Bubblehead. His professional leadership style - never stern or ugly - was fantastic, and everyone enjoyed standing watch with him, because we all learned so much. Combined with Joe's natural engineering acumen, we knew we were in good hands.

Too many years passed before we re-connected through work and I had the opportunity to thank Joe for helping inspire me to work towards my Officer's commission. Gracious as ever, he said we needed to get together and catch up. A few years ago we had the opportunity to talk once again, only this time under gathering storm clouds. Joe - genuine, sincere, solid as ever, and more wise - gave me his best, and unknown to me at the time, last life counsel, which continues to serve me well.

So it was with Joe Coen. Too familiar with the frailties of life, yet full of humility, grace, and courage to stand with his face to the Dawn, confident in his search for joy and peace in the new day.

It grieves me to learn of Joe's diagnosis and untimely passing, and to know the pain and loss this brings his family and friends, especially Olivia, Emma, and Meredith. I pray for your peace, understanding, and healing.

8 bells, and rest now, Joe. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.


Demetrius Cox

I am very saddened to hear this news. I remember Joey as a child in sound beach. Always a smile to share

A great classmate and friend from USNA and our early days at Nuc School. God's peace to the family. May the God of all comfort encouragement your hearts during this time of loss.

I am so pained to hear of Joes death. I was a customer of Joes at Merril Lynch and a Rotarian together. Joe's wife Elaine helped me with the Mt.
Pleasant directory and both were great. I only wish I had kept my relationship with Joe as he truly was a good, honest' guy. RIP Joe.

Thank you for sharing the photographs. I haven't seen Joey in years - but he lives large in my memory from the stories shared by Nancy and the times I spent in Sound Beach during his teen years. I am sorry for all your sadness and keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Beth

I was very blessed to know Joe as a fellow employee at DTR Technologies, Honeywell and KBRwyle. We became very good friends over the years. In 2016 I suffered from Heart Failure and Joe called me while I was in ICU and made me feel at peace and his genuine friendship and love I will never forget. This past year during Joe illness I tried to return the blessing he had bestowed upon me and I truely learned of his true character as a man of faith, strength and love of the Lord. He was and will alway be an inspiration to me and I will miss him but I know in my heart he is at peace with the father. May God's blessing be upon his family and let his memory be one of true love and friendship. God bless to you all

Mark Steinberg

Joe was a great classmate, always making us laugh and smile. I will miss his vivacious character and his mischievous grin.
--Doug MacKinnon, USNA, 29th Company, Class of '85!

I've never forgotten about 15 years ago Joe and I were rolling around Snee Farm on a golf cart Halloween night, helping our kids trick or treat. We hadn't known each other very long, and he said very sincerely how you doing man?, I really like hanging out with you and appreciate your friendship, how are you? I remember thinking wow, you don't hear that from a buddy everyday and it really changed me. From that point on I no longer just appreciated my friends but was inspired by Joe to be honest and open to them about how important they were in my life. Clearly not just a buddy, and much more than a brother, Joe was and will always be an important and inspirational part of my life, my memories, and my future, always. He inspired all of us to be open and kind, to keep laughing and play some music. I will miss him dearly until I see him again one day. God's speed Joe.

My life is forever changed by knowing Joe. He was my first real boss. From there he became some hybridization of friend, brother, and father. I say that because we had conversations that each of those roles would have. How to save or making a marriage or raising kids. He would share candidly his triumphs and mistakes which showed his humility and love. He wasn't afraid of emotion and would sincerely offer up his feelings. I will miss those conversations moving forward. I was able to have one of those type conversations with him at hospice and I am forever grateful.

Joey and I along with Bill, Jean, Nancy and Tracy spent our youthful Summers down the beach, playing countless hours of whiffle ball and having fun playing games and going to the Ground Round, Friendly's and the drive-in movies with Uncle John and Aunt Daisy. My Aunt Daisy loved Joey thes best because they shared the same birthday. i recently reconnected with Joe on Facebook and we both shared they were the best times of our lives.Even though I have not seen Joe in years every time I remember those Summers I smile just remembering the joy Joe brought to me from 5 till 14 I will always remember the fun times we had together. I will always love Joe and the Coen Family. Thanks for letting me share a very joyful time in my life and Joey played a major part in my happiness. Love, Sandy Sandstrom

Eight bells have rung. Your watch is over. Rest easy my old friend. You will be missed. My condolences to your family.

Joe Coen was a great officer and Shipmate aboard the USS James K Polk (SSBN-645). He always did a great job, and had a fine sense of humor, which made him a pleasure to work with. The attached photo shows him being awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his excellence as the Polk's Dry Dock Coordinator in December 1991. He was assigned this task as collateral duty during the Polk's refit and scheduled dry-docking at the Navy's Holy Loch Scotland submarine refit base, that contained both a submarine tender and floating dry-dock. The Blue Crew of 1989-1992 will miss or departed Shipmate.

May GOD comfort those family members of Joe.
We are so honored to have know this precious one of a kind guy.
We cherish all our memories of him and the love he had for all.
Joe was so kind towards our family. He will never be forgotten.
Peace to all who loved him and to all those Joe loved
from GOD above.
Kindly,
Phillip, Elise and Gabriel

Joe was a kind soul, you loved him moments after meeting him. His eyes always lit up when talking about his kids. He loved them in techni-color. I will miss my friend. Work isn't the same without him. Fair winds and following seas my friend!

He loved to laugh, and that's how we clicked. Thanks for the good times, Joe. I'll miss you.

To Joe's family - He will be missed by all who got to know and respect him. The thing I remember most about Joe was his positive attitude. He respected the men who worked with him and for him. While he could not abide a fool, his sly smile always gave away his true feelings to those who observed. I will miss him. Dan Capron, LCDR, USN - Ret.