The Life and Times of The CoffeyMen Part 4

The sons of Frank Coffey of Newtown, Bucks county. Jerry called "Babe" a name I never knew he disliked till years later. A quick and dry humor, a great smile and ready laugh.           His younger brother "Bill" with whom I share a identical name. I remember him at Malvern prep. Listening to Opera as he caught an afternoon nap. Now residing in California. Ret.U.S.Navy. Flying Patrol bombers in Vietnam. plus in his career flying over both the North and South poles.
Once Uncle Frank wore a white linen suit to a picnic, we were swimming in a fast moving creek over which hung a rope. if you chanced a swing fully clothed you'd better be sure of your speed so as to be able to return to whence you started.

       Just as Uncle Frank's feet left the starting rock, was heard a voice "Frank don't you get that suit dirty." .. Aunt Ann had spoken ! ... As Frank's toes touched the rock on completing the ark, my Father gave a tiny unseen push on Frank's chest, out over the water he returned, struggling to get a swing started, he jerked, twisted, and pulled but to no avail.
Spent, he slowly lowered himself and the gleaming white suit into the cold water, as the country stream oozed through the cloth showing the lines where white linen and muck came to meet. The suit was ruined. Have you ever heard the expression "Mad as a wet Hen?".. then you can understand Aunt Ann's wrath ! ... Needless to say Dad nor Frank uddered a word.

Aunt Ann certainly not a Coffeyman, a biting tongue at times, she spoke her mind and thoughts but, not at the expense of others but the truth as she saw it.
Once Ilene and I had a picnic, there were Dad, Mildred {my step-mother}, Uncle Frank, Aunt Ann, the brother's sister, a nun Sister Bertram. The three siblings had a great time, teasing one another, laughing, joking free from the bounds of adulthood, a pleasure to watch and to enjoy their mirth.

My Ilene wishing to please, not only for my sake but truly wanting everyone to enjoy themselves went all out. She prepared a lovely table in the back yard with soup to nuts. Everything to a "T" ....

Aunt Ann who could be critical of decorum carelessness, spoke to Ilene as she was getting into their car to leave, "I was apprehensive about today" she said "but I must say you've made me welcome and I had a wonderful day, everything as so well done." {Ann gave Ilene a kiss on the cheek.} I will be forever grateful to her for that.

I saw Aunt Ann only one other time from that day. Till today I cannot ever remember her speaking a gruff word to me directly. ...

On to part 5, it's HERE!

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