Educator Emmitt Coakley guided the paths of many students throughout his lifetime.
His legacy lives on via a new highway marker that will stand at U.S. 301 and Warrior Drive near West Nassau High School.
With family and friends in attendance at Callahan Town Hall Monday evening, Mayor Bobby Rau unveiled the inscribed marker that reads, “Emmitt G. Coakley Memorial Drive – Beloved Educator. Christian. Public Servant. Served our community for over 60 years.”
Coakley’s widow Ethelrene and son Dean attended the ceremony as well.
Coakley served the Nassau County School District as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and substitute for 55 years. He was also a member of the Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board for 39 years. Coakley died March 6, 2014.
More than 40 friends and family were on hand to witness the unveiling. Many shared their recollections of Coakley.
Dean Coakley fondly recalled how his father was his friend, mentor and disciplinarian. His dad often expressed his love for people by singing a modified version of the Joe Cocker song, “You Are So Beautiful.”
“It was a town that my daddy loved so much,” Coakley said, adding that his dad was known to say, “There’s no better love than Callahan love. There’s no other love than Callahan love.”
He also expressed appreciation to Paul and Brenda Schwend. “I love you like a brother,” Coakley said.
Since Coakley’s death, Paul Schwend, Curtis Gaus, Richard Pearce, Rose Way, Ernestine Taylor and Dawn West have worked to have a memorial highway sign posted near Warrior Drive.
In May, the Callahan Town Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution No. 2016-R10, designating the special signage for the road’s honorary name.
“He was such a great person,” Ethelrene Coakley said. “He was so beautiful.”
Schwend said it was an honor to see the project completed. He was a student at WNHS when Coakley served as principal.
“It’s just a moment of joy for anybody who crossed his path,” he said. “He impacted so many lives and still does. It was nice and touching to hear everyone share their memories. He just did so many things. The problems of the ’70s didn’t really visit us because of his leadership.”
Avery Kelly Jr. shared a friendship with Coakley for many years. He offered a prayer of dedication for Coakley’s life and the decisions he made as a community leader, guiding students, faculty and staff during the years that the nation saw racial division and conflict.
“We don’t want Mr. Coakley to be forgotten,” Kelly said. “He won’t be forgotten as long as we’re around.”
Johnnie Green looked up to Coakley, who served as his mentor and coach. Green retired from a teaching and coaching career at WNHS. He serves as pastor of St. James Baptist Church and stays involved in community groups, including the Concerned Citizens of Hilliard.
“I patterned my life after him. I loved him so much,” Green said. “I wanted to be like him so much. I loved him so much.”
Allen Kirk worked with Coakley at WNHS for many years, speaking fondly of his former supervisor’s determination and dedication to integrity.
“He believed in doing what was right,” Kirk said.