Garrett John Coakley, a mostly jovial yet often cantankerous man, passed away on Feb. 27, 2025, exactly 47 years after he entered the world, surrounded by family and friends. Garrett was born on Feb. 27, 1978 to Daniel J. Coakley and Helen Coakley (Walasek). A life-long resident of Chicopee, MA, Garrett attended Holy Name School, regularly demonstrating his ability to question teachers and occasionally banging erasers after school. He graduated from Chicopee Comprehensive High School in 1996. Garrett put his natural ability to argue and his irrepressible need to be right to good use, participating in Debate Club, As Schools Match Wits and editing the Yearbook during senior year. He previously worked at Willimansett East Nursing Home in food services, becoming the Food Service Manager. For the last several years worked for the Chicopee DPW. Garrett met his wife Alaina and spent the rest of his life wondering what he did to deserve her. He loved being a father to one adorable son, Daniel. He loved trivia, craft beer, wrestling, BBQ, and all things movies. He was known for his sharp wit, sarcastic t-shirts and spending time with family and friends. He leaves behind his feisty but loving wife, Alaina (Yelle) and their precocious son Daniel, his resilient mother, Helen Coakley-Zahm and her husband, the thoughtful Tom Zahm, no nonsense mother-in-law, Christine Yelle and sister-in-law/sarcastic t-shirt supplier, Jennifer Yelle, with whom he spent many a day assembling, disassembling, then correctly reassembling DIY furniture. He also leaves behind his aunts, Hannah Reilly, Sr. Karen Coakley and Christine Yergeau, many cousins and his extended in-law family. He also leaves his honorary brothers: Scott Darcy, Michael Grzebieniowski, Christopher Kulig, Jason Pininski, Jeffrey Pike and Adam Haney. Though legally unable to honor Garrett’s final request of take him on a “Weekend at Bernie’s” type of adventure, they will continue to tell stories, make inappropriate jokes and raise a pint in his honor. Garrett is predeceased by his father, Daniel J. Coakley, fishing buddy and uncle John Walasek, caring grandparents Kazimierz and Zofia Walasek, his redoubtable grandparents John “Jack” and Josie Coakley and uncle Shawn Coakley. He is also preceded in death by his father-in-law Allen Yelle. Despite Garrett’s final wishes to have an Irish wake and Viking funeral, calling hours will be held on March 7th from 4-7 pm and March 8th from 10am to 12pm at Grise Funeral home in Chicopee, MA. Burial will be at convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Autism Speaks and the American Heart Association. For online condolences, please visit www.GriseFH.com.