IN MEMORIAM
PHILIP E. COEN
On August 22, 2020, Philip E. Coen, Jr. passed away of natural causes. He was 91 years old. The son of Philip Coen and Edith (Brigham) Coen, Phil was born on January 22, 1929, in Newport, R.I. Phil loved Aquidneck Island and had a passion for sports, especially football. He grew up in Newport and attended Rogers High School, where he played football, basketball and golf. He entered Boston College in 1948, where he played football all four years. He was an All-American and a team captain. In 1950, Phil received the prestigious Scanlon Award for Best Student/Athlete. Phil dedicated his adult life to education and to supporting the community in which he lived. His career as an educator began as a teacher at Mumford School in 1952. He transferred to Rogers High School in 1954, where he taught and became the assistant football coach under the legendary Ed Fitzgerald. Phil was the head football coach from 1955-1957. In 1962, Phil became a guidance counselor and a coach of many sports in the Barrington Public Schools. Coaching the Barrington basketball team of 1963 was especially meaningful for him, establishing enduring relationships with many of his players. During the same time period, he coached many sports at Brown University, including football, tennis and wrestling.
Phil coached football at Portsmouth Abbey, taking over as head coach in 1969. That fall he led the Abbey football team in its last-minute, come-from-behind victory over St. George’s School and ultimately to their conference championship. Phil instilled a work ethic and sense of teamwork that enabled players to play up to and beyond their full potential. In the fall of 2009, more than 30 members of the 1969 championship team joined Phil on the Portsmouth Abbey campus to celebrate his legacy. In honor of Phil’s “leadership, personal example, absolute integrity, and grace,” the Coen Cup award was established by members of the Portsmouth Abbey football team from the classes of 1970-1973 and is awarded annually to the football team’s most improved player. His love for Aquidneck Island drew Phil back in 1971 when he became principal of Middletown High School and, from 1975-1986, superintendent of Middletown Schools. Phil also served on the Middletown Town Council and as the Middletown town administrator. Upon retirement Phil spent his days continuing his lifetime pursuit of physical fitness. Second Beach and the Newport Athletic Club were favorite spots in which to spend his days. The Portsmouth Abbey community extends its deepest sympathy to the Coen family.
Members of the Classes of 1970-73 joined Phil (front row, second from left) on the Portsmouth Abbey campus in the fall of 2009 to celebrate his legacy and to establish the Coen Cup.
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P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL
