Born: Dec. 4, 1915

Died: April 6, 2012

Wesley Brice McCoy, 96

Wesley Brice McCoy, 96, of Hackensack, N.J, formerly of Cassopolis, died April 6, 2012 in New York City. He was surrounded by his family.

Wesley was born Dec. 4, 1915 in South Bend, Indiana to Wesley Duncan and Perses Helen (Brice) McCoy. His parents preceded him in death.

Wesley served in the U.S. Army attaining the rank of First Lieutenant.  He retired as a Lieutenant Firefighter from the New York City Fire Department in 1980, he served 40 years. He attended Tuskeegee University and Columbia University in New York City.

Wesley enjoyed very full and athletic life. Up until his 90s he was an avid skier and tennis player. He loved his dogs, bred Golden Retrievers, rescued many dogs and gave them homes. He enjoyed traveling. It would not be uncommon for Wesley to get in his car and drive several hundreds of miles to Florida or Vermont or Canada at a moment’s notice.  He was a very independent man and ahead of his times.

Wesley will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by three daughters, Brenda Helen McCoy, Eleanor Leslie McCoy, and Marlene McCoy of New York; and three grandchildren, Sanaa Lathan, Shakai Shepard McCoy and Sabia Torres McCoy.

Family and friends will gather at the graveside Friday at 10 a.m. in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis, where Mr. McCoy’s remains will be laid to rest beside his late parents.

The family prefers memorial contributions to New York City Fire Department.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.