George H. Coffin, III, CRE 1928 - 2007

George Holman Coffin, III, passed away on Saturday, October 13^th, at the age of 79.

George was born in Hollywood, California, March 6, 1928. After graduating from Harvard Military School, North Hollywood, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (’51) and concluded his college career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Davis (UCD). He married his wife Grace Hamilton at St. James Church (Newport Beach) in 1950. They have two children: Catherine, who is an artist and school nurse and lives with her husband in Anchorage, Alaska, and Christopher, who lives with his wife and three children in Lake Forest, IL, and owns and manages a communications technology company.

In 1949, George, established his firm in Pasadena, CA in mortgage lending, appraising and real estate counseling. He was very active in civic and professional organizations. In 1969, he joined Investors Mortgage Insurance Company and was involved in the management and sales/marketing for the Western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. In 1983, George was named Sr. Vice President, sales and national accounts. In 1985, he reactivated the firm of Geo. H. Coffin & Son, originally founded by his grandfather in 1893. The firm was engaged in counseling the real estate and mortgage lending industries.

During his many years of activity in the real estate field, George served as President of the American Society of Real Estate Counselors in 1980, President of the Pasadena Board of Realtors in 1959 and President of the Los Angeles Chapter No.1 of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers in 1954. He was elected Honorary Director for Life of the California Association of Realtors and served nine years as a Director of the National Association of Realtors. He was a member of the Newport Harbor-Costa Mesa Board of Realtors. He was awarded the CCIM designation from the Realtors National Marketing Institute and the CRA designation from the American Society of Review Appraisers.

George was a proud member of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club (’45), Tuna Club (Santa Catalina Island), Balboa Angling Club, NHYC Anglers, International Fish and Game Association, International Oceanographic Foundation, Disabled American Veterans, and the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.

George will be remembered for his love of his family and friends, his genuine care and kindness for anyone who met him, his love of the sea, his passion for business, his willingness to lend an opinion and helping hand, his commitment to his church and faith in Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife Grace, his daughter Catherine and husband Joe Senungetuk, his son, Chris and wife Donna, grandchildren William, Stephen and Alex, niece Jennifer, nephew Jeff, cousin Mike and wife Peggy Jo, and many dear friends. He is preceded in death by brother-in-law Frank Hamilton.

A celebration of George’s life will be held on Monday, November 5^th, at 2pm at St. James Anglican Church, 3209 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949-675-0210). The Reverend Canon David C. Anderson Bishop-Elect will preside. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests In Memoriam donations be sent to the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum (www.nhnm.org), at 600 East Bay Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92661. Donations are tax-deductible. The Coffin family has owned a home in Balboa/Newport since 1914.