Paul H. Coachys, 92, of Allentown, formerly of Whitehall, died peacefully Nov. 2, 2021, with his loving and dedicated family constantly by his side in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Walter F.V. and Rose C. (Reilly) Coachys.

He was the devoted husband and constant companion of Helen M. (Pandl) Coachys for 58 years at the time of her death on Jan. 10, 2012.

He was a friend of Bill W. for more than 55 years.

He was a longtime member and dedicated volunteer at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Allentown.

A 1949 graduate of Liberty High School, he proudly served in the Arctic Circle with the U.S. Air Force and Marines Corps during the Korean conflict.

He returned home and remained very active in local Veterans Affairs.

He started the Veterans Outreach program at Bethlehem Steel, and was chairman of the Steel Workers Veterans Memorial Committee; instrumental in having the memorial built at Bethlehem Steel by its workers.

He received the Distinguished Service Award from Lehigh County Veterans Affairs, and the Unsung Heroes Award in 2003.

He helped veterans obtain assistance who were suffering with PTSD, and participated in the Toys for Tots Campaign of the Marine Corps League.

He was the recipient of the Anna Bell Ditbrenner Award.

He was an electrician at Bethlehem Steel and a member of the “wire gang” for more than 31 years before retiring in 1992.

He was the union representative of the assistance program from 1983 through 1992.

He was a United Way representative at the Steel, and lifetime member of the United Steel Workers of American Local 2600, and member of the retired steel workers group.

He was active with the Lehigh County and state Democratic Committees, and was the campaign chairman for the late Kurt Zwikl.

He was a volunteer for March of Dimes since its inception in 1939, a campaign director for five years, and board member for 20 years.

He served on the board of directors with the Halfway House of Allentown and Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol.

He assisted many seniors receive drug and alcohol treatment.

He was an avid sports fan of Notre Dame, Lehigh, Penn State and West Point, along with many local high school teams.

He volunteered in the Athletic Department of Lehigh University for more than 13 years.

He started the first Punt, Pass and Kick for the Jaycees, sponsored by Ford Motor Co. and swam for several years in support of cancer research, and collected pennies for Ritter Elementary School to benefit the Veterans Memorial at LCCC.

He is survived by his daughter Deborah C. and her husband, Edward G. Ruyak Jr., of Ocean City, Md.; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was predeceased by son, Gary, in 2017; four sisters; and one brother.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Museum of Industrial History, 602 E. 2nd St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 for the upkeep of the Steelworkers Veterans Memorial.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home, Whitehall.