Utica numbers among her representative and prosperous citizens and worthy native sons Frank A. Coakley, who has conducted the Timothy Coakley estate since the death of his father in 1908 and is carrying on the extensive coal business which was established by the latter more than a third of a century ago. He was born on the 12th of August, 1887, his parents being Timothy and Mary (Murphy) Coakley. The former, who was born in Ireland in 1848, came to America in his boyhood and established his home at Utica, New York, where he engaged for a number of years in various lines of business. In 1890 he started coal yards at Conkling avenue on the West Shore Railway, and through the application of energy and special ability built up an extensive patronage. He became one of the leading men in Utica, exercising a large influence for good on the community not only on account of his acknowledged high standing but because of his reputation as a public-spirited citizen who labored for improvement in every department of activity. He was especially interested in assisting the unfortunate and was an active worker on the committee of public charities. Fraternally he was identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of Honor. The date of his demise was April 24, 1908. To him and his wife were born three children, namely: Mary M., Frank A., and Josephine.
Frank A. Coakley received his preliminary education as a student in Assumption Academy and later attended Manhattan College of New York city. He early gave indications of good business capacity and since the death of his father has been conducting the Timothy Coakley estate. A contemporary biographer said of him:
"A representative of a family well known in Oneida county, Frank A. Coakley has possessed every desirable advantage of education and training and is regarded as one of the highly promising young men of the Mohawk valley. Possessing the characteristics of ambition, energy and perseverance which are the leading traits of the successful modern business man, there is no doubt in the opinion of his friends that he will discharge the responsibilities now resting upon his shoulders in a way that will reflect credit upon himself and all with whom he is associated."
During the period of the World war Mr. Coakley entered the United States army as a private on the 5th of August, 1918, and until his discharge on the 20th of December of that year he was connected with the quartermaster department in Washington. He belongs to Utica Post of the American Legion, gives his political support to the democratic party and is a communicant of St. John's church. Along fraternal lines he holds membership in the Knights of Columbus, the Royal Arcanum and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he has also joined the City Club and the Utica Golf and Country Club. At all times his social qualities and unfeigned cordiality have won him the friendship as well as the high regard of those with whom he has been brought into contact.