Henry Brinton Coxe, III, 96, of Ambler, was born in Pennsylvania Hospital on August 29, 1930, to Henry Brinton Coxe, Jr. and Helen Piper Coxe.
Harry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, rarely missing the games, events and activities of his children and grandchildren. He and his wife Isabel,’Sally’ enjoyed nothing more than opening their home to their children’s friends, and Harry took a sincere interest in every one of them.
Educated at Chestnut Hill Academy and St. Mark’s School, he was a lifelong sports fan. He stayed active in men’s league softball in his earlier decades and played tennis regularly until he was ultimately sidelined by a heart condition at 78. More recently, he would be found in the garden where he and Sally collaborated building a new array of colors, flowers and plants every year.
During the Second World War, his family moved to Fort Riley, Kansas, where his father was stationed. There he had some of his fondest and most fascinating childhood memories, making new friends at Junction City Junior High.
In August 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. A Sergeant in the 72nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea, he and his tank crew operated at and around Heartbreak Ridge and the Chowan (Chorwon) Valley, among other battles. He was forever impacted by his wartime fortunes. During his service, he was wounded and held from duty for a few days. In that short window, his tank was blown up by enemy artillery, and all his fellow crew were killed. He often
wondered “Why not me?” and was grateful for every day that followed.
A proud veteran, thoughtful citizen and kind spirit, he believed in the uniqueness of America and the ways in which it has advanced human freedom and prosperity. He loved nothing more than learning, sharing and debating ideas, and channeled that passion throughout his adult life into countless letters published in regional and national media.
While pursuing an early career in sales and several subsequent decades on staff at the libraries of Cheyney and Villanova Universities, his focus was always on his children. He was up early for ice hockey and figure skating practices and out late in the backyard helping his kids work at whatever sport was in season.
A lover of animals and nature, he took his kids and their friends on many camping, swimming and vacation trips to various Pennsylvania outposts, including Stoddartsville and Eagles Mere.
He and Sally spent their last decades adopting senior dogs and Harry spent countless hours watching the local birds and marveling at their songs, interactions and boundless energy.
He is survived, and will be deeply missed, by his family and friends including his children Henry IV (Katrina), Caroline, Alexander (Angela), Helen, grandson Henry V (Adji), grandson Edmund
(Megan), great-granddaughters Nola and Millie, and great-grandson Henry Basir (aka Basi).
He was predeceased by his wife Sally of 66 years.
He died peacefully on September 10, 2026.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Joseph Ambler Inn in North Wales, PA on Friday, October 2nd at 1:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the ASPCA www.aspca.org or the Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfw.org.
