John A. Coe
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John Anderson (Rocky) Coe was born in the Hartford (CT) Hospital Oct. 19, 1925, the son of Allan R. Coe Sr. and Bessie (Anderson) Coe. John attended public schools in Manchester, Conn., and graduated from Monson Academy in Monson, Mass., class of ’43. He spent childhood summers at Point ‘O Woods, Conn. In 1944 he followed his twin brother’s example and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the Battle Cruiser USS ALASKA during the Pacific campaign, then returning to Manchester before leaving for college.
John went on to receive an AB degree from Tufts University, Class of ‘51, and an MFA degree from Boston University in ‘59. He was active as performer and director in the theater groups of the Boston area and was on the theater staff of Wellesley College before joining WGBH-TV during the early years of Boston Public Television, turning on the lights for its first-ever television broadcast.
In 1959 he began working in the avant-garde theaters of New York City; he was a member of the Living Theatre group and the Open Theater group and performed in many plays by the playwrights of the early Off- and Off-Off Broadway theater movements.
He served as a member of the governing Council of Actors Equity Association from 1973 to 1983. He appeared in a number of Broadway productions and in regional theaters throughout the country. His film career included roles in “Coogan’s Bluff” and “The Exorcist III.” John was always grateful that he was able to make his living as an actor, living in New York and traveling throughout the US and Europe while doing what he loved. Always humble about his contributions, he was the friend and mentor of many still active in theater and film today.
An active recreational sailor since childhood, John retired to Deltaville where he built a steel-hulled sailing schooner “Mistress Quickly,” which became his home for many years. He subsequently moved to a small cottage home in Urbanna, where he continued his lifelong involvement in progressive causes, interesting projects, and excellent cooking.
During his years in the Tidewater area he was active with the Lancaster Players, Northern Neck Computer Club, and the Democratic Committee. He continued his dedicated support of local government through his work as an Officer of Election and through faithful attendance at public meetings and numerous letters to the editor. John devoted himself to the Deltaville Maritime Museum from its inception, organizing the docents and working with the library and the archiving of museum artifacts.
John was predeceased by his parents and his older brother, Allan. He is survived by his twin brother, William C., and sister-in-law, Inez (Gado) Coe of East Orleans, Mass.; his nieces, Susan Coe O’Brien and Sharon Coe Stocks; extended family; and many loving friends.
His family plans to disperse his ashes in the waters of Long Island Sound where he learned to sail as a boy. Memorial gifts may be made to the John A. Coe Endowment, P.O. Box 775, Urbanna, VA 23175 to benefit the library and archival support at the Deltaville Maritime Museum.