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MADISON - John W. “Jack” Coe died at home on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, after a long illness. He was 88 years old.

Jack was born on Sept. 24, 1935, to John J. and Vivian D. (née Nicoletti) Coe in Brooklyn, N.Y. and grew up on Long Island. A talented physics student, he also attended a special program at The Juilliard School for high school musicians before graduating from East Rockaway High School in 1953 and from Ithaca College in 1958 with a degree in music performance (trombone). After earning a Master of Music degree (MM) from Manhattan School of Music and a Doctorate in Musical Arts (DMA) from Indiana University, Jack taught music at universities in Ohio, Kentucky and Colorado. In 1976, he was hired by the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) as a Higher Education Consultant, eventually serving as a Legislative Consultant. Some of Jack’s proudest accomplishments at WEAC involved reaching across the aisle in the state legislature to obtain great results for Wisconsin teachers and students. Jack retired from WEAC in 1999.

While at WEAC he met Mary Pitassi, who shared his deep love of music, travel and lifelong learning. Jack and Mary visited many sites throughout the U.S and Canada, including Jackson, Wy., the Four Corners area of the Southwest, Colonial Williamsburg, Montreal and Saskatchewan, in addition to their annual holiday trip to Gulf Shores, Ala., and New Orleans. In Jack’s later years, they enjoyed spending time in their home and visiting their favorite Madison-area restaurants.

Jack was a licensed pilot, a member of the Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol, a member of Rotary Club of Madison West Middleton, and an emeritus member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. He published several articles about naval aviation and volunteered cataloguing collections at the Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Fla. He was an avid reader and an enthusiastic participant in the Senior Guest Auditor program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for more than a decade. He was also a devoted friend to many. His intellect, wit and kindness will be missed by all who knew him.

Jack is survived by his loving life partner of 30 years, Mary Pitassi; son, William Ritchen; daughter, Nancy Rower; and granddaughter, Sophia. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Jacqueline Bythway and Adrienne Kurtz; and nephew, John Kurtz.

Donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation (wisvetsmuseum.com), Agrace HospiceCare (www.agrace.org/donate/), the Madison Public Library Foundation (mplfoundation.org/donate/), or the Wisconsin Historical Society (wisconsinhistory.org/donate/).

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2024. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

John "Jack" Coe

September 24, 1935 - August 28, 2024

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