Brooklyn Boro

After six-decade legal career, attorney ‘Gus’ Coffinas leaves us at age 92

Chuck Otey's Pro Bono Barrister: Funeral Held at Cathedral for Respected Leader in Greek and Legal Communities

July 22, 2015 By Charles F. Otey, Esq. Brooklyn Daily Eagle
World War II veteran Gus Coffinas (right) led the effort — leading to congressional legislation — to have the Greek Orthodox religion recognized by the Armed Forces as an appropriate tribute to fallen soldiers. His deed was well received by another World War II veteran, President George H. W. Bush. Photo courtesy of Coffinas Family
Share this:

Gustav “Gus” Coffinas — a father, lawyer, leader and one of the most competent and honest barristers this writer has known — died last week at the age of 92.

Born in 1923, Gus was a genial, elegant, outgoing gentleman of the old school. He passed away peacefully on July 10 at his Bay Ridge home, surrounded by his family and friends.

In recognition of his service to his community, his viewing was held at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Schermerhorn Street, just off Court Street. A funeral service was held at the cathedral on July 15.

A very highly respected attorney in Brooklyn for 63 years, Gus was engaged in the active practice of law until his death. For many years, his offices were located on Court Street, where he partnered with his son George. More recently, he moved his practice to 86th Street in Bay Ridge so that he could be closer to his home and wife Evangeline.

A pillar of the Greek community, it seemed only natural that Gus — who, at one time, owned the Gregory Hotel in Bay Ridge with his brother, the late Justice Nicholas “Nick” Coffinas — would become knowledgeable of the many laws, rules and regulations governing the restaurant industry.

His personal style and talent earned him a wide reputation as an easily accessible and very talented attorney.

If you walked down Court Street, or Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, with Gus, it seemed that each and every restaurant or coffee shop proprietor would step out to chat with him. His recognition in the Greek and legal communities seemed to grow over the years, probably because he served each client fairly and professionally and did an extraordinary amount of pro bono work.

Gus Led Effort Through Congress to Recognize Faith of Greek Orthodox GIs

Gus served with the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater of Operations and, upon his return, started practice with his brother Nick and devoted his other time to caring for his family and championing a number of causes and institutions, including the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

His achievements and contributions were exceptional, to say the least. He was a past supreme president of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and was a mega archon of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, by the mother church in Constantinople.

He was a past president of the Board of Trustees of Sts. Constantine & Helen and legal counsel to that community for many years. In his home community of Bay Ridge, he was instrumental in the 1963 establishment of the A. Fantis Parochial School, the first such Greek Orthodox school in Brooklyn.

As an Army veteran, he single-handedly led the effort to have the U.S. Congress enact legislation recognizing Eastern Orthodoxy as a religion by our Armed Forces — prior to that legislation, the “dog tags” of Eastern Orthodox servicemembers simply identified their faith as either “Roman Catholic” or “other.”

Those who had the pleasure of knowing Gus admired his deep family ties. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Evangeline Coffinas; his son and law partner of more than 30 years, George Coffinas; his daughter Ethel Coffinas; daughter-in-law Nelli Coffinas; grandchildren Constantine, Spyridon and Evangeline Coffinas; nieces and nephews Maria and Cliff Lazzaro, Eleni and Michael DiRaimondo, Gigi and Jimmy Giannakouros, and Demetra and John Fletouris; and grandnieces and grandnephews Maria and George Katehis, Spyro Fletouris, Nicholas, Alexander and  Michael Lazzaro, William, Athena and Acasia Giannakouros, and Nicole DiRaimondo.

A family spokesperson noted that Gus’ “wise counsel and selfless devotion of his faith and his profession helped countless people over the years, especially those in need.”  

Having known Gus as a friend and sometimes as a law associate for more than 40 years, I would echo those thoughts.

This column was created 15 years ago for the express purpose of “telling about the good that lawyers do.” Then, as now, the media has traditionally been too quick to cast negative shadows over the bar and the bench, wherever possible.

Gus Coffinas’ life, career and demise won’t make too many headlines elsewhere, but on these pages, and in the lives of the thousands he so well represented, his story is paramount and should be told as an exemplar of what a good lawyer really does — day to day, year to year.

 

Daughter Ethel Tells of Her Loss, Dad’s Unique Style

The following is a message we and many others received last week from Ethel Coffinas, Gus’ daughter:

“On the night of July 10 at 9:34 p.m., my sweet father made his journey to heaven. In his 92 years on this earth, he had accomplished so much, helped so many people and spread his love to all he came into contact with. It was only fitting, and in pure Gus fashion, that his passing was as beautiful as he was.

“He was surrounded by his entire family, listening to the music he loved, and we held his hand as he took his last breath. I loved him with all of my heart and hope to be even half the person he was. I am so fortunate and so proud to be his daughter.”

As Ethel later told us, Gus — at his specific request — was listening to a selected set of his favorite songs. The last, one of the most memorable ever written, was his favorite hymn, “Ave Maria.” He didn’t get to hear his next selection, “My Way,” by Frank Sinatra. But he certainly did it his way and did it well.

Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment