Michael Coe

Michael Coe, (born Kenneth Carlisle Fitzgibbons II) died October 2, 2022.  He was 78.  He passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving wife and companion of 47 years, Arleen Marie (Cook) Coe, in Mexico where they had retired and lived for 20 years.

Michael was preceded in death by his father Kenneth Carlisle Fitzgibbons of Roseville, CA, mother Frances Bell (Johnson) Coe, and stepfather Newell Coe of Coalinga, CA.

Michael is survived by his wife Arleen Marie (Cook) Coe, son Benjamin Alexander Coe (wife Beth Campbell Coe) of Sonoma, CA, sister Berdell Lois (Fitzgibbons/Coe) Spellman (husband Dr. Michael Spellman) of Aptos, CA,  niece Kelly Spellman, nephew Dr. Keith Spellman (wife Leigh Rohmer Spellman) of Santa Cruz, CA, brother Dr. Michael Warren Fitzgibbons (wife Junko Miyamoto Fitzgibbons) of Irvine, CA, nieces Sachiko Fitzgibbons Nozaki (husband Toshi Nozaki) great nephews Kenju, Eiju and  Kaiju of Irvine, CA, niece Dr. Mari Fitzgibbons (husband Dr. Peng Lei), great nieces Ava Naomi Lei, Mia Isabel Lei of Arcadia, CA, niece Yuriko Fitzgibbons of Irvine, CA, sister Dr. Jean Fitzgibbons Carter of Irvine, CA,  niece Colleen Carter Duncan (husband Gavin Duncan) and great niece Moira Deborah Duncan of Richland, WA.  He had many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews on Arleen’s side of the family.  He was loved by all.

Michael was born July 27, 1944 at the Naval base in Bremerton, WA, to Kenneth Carlisle and Francis Bell (Johnson) Fitzgibbons.  He was the youngest of 2 siblings; Berdell Lois being 2 years older.  After WW2 his family moved to Coalinga, CA, his mother’s home town.  His parents divorced in 1947 and his mother married Newell Coe in 1948, who adopted Berdell and Michael in 1948 and changed their names to Michael Coe and Berdell Lois Coe.

Michael joined the Marine Corps in 1961 where he completed his GED.  He was assigned to top secret radar operations, with assignments in Cuba, Japan, and Viet Nam.  Upon completing his military service, with an honorable discharge, he joined the Oakland Police Department.  He left the police force due to an injury he suffered on duty. He then attended Healds Engineering College and San Francisco State College in San Francisco for three years.

Michael had many and diverse accomplishments.  He mined gold in Montana, and joined an acting company there.  He owned and operated a commercial painting business in San Francisco.  He built a luxury home in Marin county.  He was an entrepreneur.  He built and managed a successful international inflatable boat business.   His company rivaled industry leader, Zodiac Boats of France.

Michael was a proud, courageous, brave, confident, and bold man, who lived a life of adventure and personal challenge.  He was a man of extraordinary intelligence.  He had a commanding presence.  He earned the nickname  “Free Spirited Uncle Mike” from his loving niece Kelly Spellman.  To his son Benjamin he was a hero. Everything Michael undertook in his life was with total commitment and dogged determination. He was a born leader. He always did it his way.  That’s the way he liked it.  His dashing and adventurous exploits were the stuff of a swashbuckling novel. He loved sharing his adventures, encouraging others to make their own.   

Michael overcame the pain of an abusive, repressive childhood to live a full and happy life.

He will be sorely missed, but not forgotten.