Monsignor Charles P. Coen entered eternal life on December 26, 2024, at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx.

He was born on April 10, 1933, in Drimnamuckla, Woodford, Co. Galway, Ireland. The son of Michael and Mary Ann Coen he was the 6th child in a family of 9 children. He was predeceased by Paddy, Jack, Michael, Annie (Cissie) O’Malley, Margaret King, and survived by Sr Concepta (May), Sr Patrice (Betty), Anthony (wife, Mary), sister-in-law Julia (Jack), and brother-in-law Martin O’Malley (Annie). He is also survived by 26 nieces and nephews, and 51 grandnieces and nephews. Special mention is made of his close friend and caretaker Eileen Condon.

Charlie came from a musical family and was an accomplished Irish traditional flutist, tin whistler, concertinist, and singer. He and his brother Jack produced several albums together. He was an All-Ireland champion in those instruments and in the ornamental style of Irish singing in both English and Gaelic.

After a short time in England, he arrived in the United States on February 5, 1955, at the age of 21. He worked as a bell hop in Grossingers, Liberty, for four years before moving to the seminary in Holy Apostles Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut, for delayed vocations. This was followed by two years of philosophy in Dunwoodie where he got his BA and then four years of theology with master’s degrees in dogma and ministry. He was ordained in 1968.

He enjoyed many assignments in the Archdiocese of New York, including at Incarnation Parish, 186th St. in Washington Heights, 1968; St. Paul, New Brighton, Staten Island, 1969-1976; St Joseph/St. Thomas Parish, Staten Island, 1976-1986; and St. Christopher Parish in Red Hook, 1987-2008, where he was assigned as Pastor and eventually Monsignor.

He retired at the age of 75 in 2008.

After retirement, Charlie lived in the Catskills (Greenville), and would celebrate Mass at churches as far as 50 miles away, such as St. Theresa’s Windham, the shrine in East Durham, Gainesville, Hudson, and more.

Since 2017, he moved to the Cardinal Egan residence for retired priests where he remained until his most recent illness.

He will be dearly missed by his extended family, close friends, and all touched by his spiritual guidance, humor, Irish entertainment, and love.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Father Charlie’s memory to Catholic Relief Services (a favored charity of Father Charlie’s) in his memory.

RECEPTION OF THE BODY AND WAKE ⦁ LYING IN REPOSE
Monday, December 30, 2024 ⦁ 10-11 a.m.
Main Chapel of the John Cardinal O’Connor Pavilion
5655 Arlington Avenue ⦁ Riverdale, NY 10471
718-581-0070

Entrusted to the care of the Hodder Farenga Funeral Home, Yonkers

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Monday, December 30, 2024 ⦁ 11 a.m.
Main Chapel of the John Cardinal O’Connor Pavilion
5655 Arlington Avenue ⦁ Riverdale, NY 10471
718-581-0070

Most Reverend Edmund J. Whalen, principal celebrant
Reverend Michael T. Martine, homilist

INTERMENT
Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne

+REQUIESCAT IN PACE+