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Coy L. Huffine, 88, passed away peacefully April 20, 2012.

Born April 2, 1924, in Knoxville, Tenn., he attained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Tennessee in 1944. He joined the Navy during W.W.II. and served as an ensign until 1946, stationed onboard a repair ship working throughout the Pacific. Coy received his master’s degree from the University of Tennessee in 1947, and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Columbia University, New York, in 1953. He married Virginia Browne later that year in New York.

Moving to Boston, Huffine worked for the NASA Apollo Space Program 1962-1967, with a small group of scientists, he developed the heat shield material and design for atmosphere re-entry spacecraft returning from the moon. They moved with his family to Rochester in 1968. Huffine worked for IBM, developing materials for computer disc-drive systems. He was manager of the Material Sciences Division until retirement in 1983.

Huffine was involved in many volunteer organizations over the years, including the Rochester Arts Council (board of directors) 1970s, Community Concerts Series (president) 1970-71, IBM retirement club and Channel One Food Bank (1980s), and Kiwanis Club (treasurer) 1980s-90s. 

In retirement, he enjoyed entertaining friends and travel, including many trips abroad with wife, Virginia.

He was preceded in death by Virginia (2006).

Huffine is survived by son, Jeremy, and daughter, Lucinda.

Huffine was a kind and generous person with a great sense of humor and will be missed by all who knew him.

A family memorial is planned at a later date.

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) are appreciated.

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