James Laurence “Larry” Coe of Watertown, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, at the age of 80.
Larry was born in New Rochelle, New York and grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald R. Coe, mother Nancy H. Coe Hill, and brother Donald R. Coe. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Doris, daughters Julie (Ben) and Maggie (Eckehard), son Peter (Caitlin), and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Susan Coe and Jean Culver (Kevin), along with nephews and nieces.
Larry attended Bexley High School in Columbus and graduated from Ohio State University. He paid his way through college working in an Ohio railyard before being drawn east by his taste for seafood and keen interest in the Boston Symphony Orchestra, later earning a Master’s from Northeastern University. A resident of the Boston area since the 1960s, Larry was a self-employed Certified Public Accountant with an office in Watertown Square, serving many local businesses for over 40 years.
Larry loved music, once performing the mandolin part to Mahler’s Eighth Symphony with the Columbus Symphony and later learning to play the bassoon. He lent his wonderful bass voice to the choir at All Saints Parish in Brookline, the Boston Cecilia, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus; around the house or on walks he could often be heard singing melodies from his favorite work, Brahms’s Second Symphony.
An avid fisherman and lover of word games and puzzles, Larry also played weekend pick-up volleyball in Watertown parks and volunteered for various town and church community causes. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, full of warmth, intelligence, generosity, and good humor. He is remembered by many as a kind, gentle soul with an ever-present twinkle in his eye.
A memorial service will be held at All Saints Parish in Brookline, at a date to be announced. To learn information about the memorial service and sign the online guest book see www.bellodeafuneralhome.com/obituary/james-coe.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org)