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His name “Abiodun” means “born during festival.” This name can be given to anyone born during a holiday festival.His middle name “Olarewaju” means “riches and glory go forward/continues.”
He was born in London, England on April 12, 1960 to his father Oladeyinde, and mother Enid Ezlene Coker.
The family moved to America in March 1968.Abe lived in the USA for 1 year and then he and his siblings went back to England to attend boarding school.He studied at High Tree Elementary School in Surrey, England for 4 years.He and his siblings won all of the sports awards in their age category at school.Abe transferred back to the USA for school.His parents transferred him to New Rochelle Academy.He then attended Our Saviour Lutheran High School in the Bronx where he also excelled in soccer and other sports.Abe then went to Mount Vernon High School, where he became a stand out soccer player, as a goalie and captain.
In his youth, he also played on a community basketball team.He was in a com¬munity basketball league on a team called the Stars.The article reporting their victory said, “the Stars Shine Over Mt.Vernon.” Abe loved to play basketball and he felt so fortunate to have his next door neighbor Clinton I.Young Jr, a former mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, as one of his mentors and basketball coach.
Abe loved his mother and father dearly.His mother would always refer to him as her best child, and he kept her very close.He was always helping out around the house, and became known as the outside man-those were his house duties.He also loved his brothers and sister dearly.He helped to teach his sister Jenny how to drive a standard shift car.Jenny bought a car and Abe drove her around until she learned to drive it.He and brother Lonnie were known as the “Coke Boys.” Together they would always make people laugh, and their go to crowd pleaser was their impersonation of their father.They were amazing and sounded just like him in his Nigerian accent.When Abe was young, his older brother Mike, was his hero.
Abe attended Ohio State University, and later on Devry becoming a certified me¬chanic.During the time he went to college he also became a DJ to the surprise of his father, who knew Abe to be very passive and quiet as a child.His DJ name was “DJ Coke Classic.” Abe loved music, art and being a disk jockey.He could often be found behind the turntable at many of his friends’ houses and he worked private events, circle line and major parties.He was also a talented painter whose artwork is scattered around the world.
Once he finished school he decided to become an electrician, becoming a jour¬neyman then working his way up to become a union electrician.As a union electrician in Local 3 IBEW, Abe was a foreman on major jobs such a New Roc City, and other major shopping areas.He also traveled to Canada to work on the CN Tower.Putting the lights up and doing major electrical work which was instru¬mental in his later decision to open his own business and pursue certification as a Master Electrician starting the company Coker Electric Inc.with the slogan, “Lighting Up the World.” Under the direction of Abe, Coker Electric Inc.com¬pleted many major electrical projects and he will forever be known as a Master Electrician.
Abe met the love of his life in 1983.They spent everyday together and cherished the times they spent creating lifelong memories.They enjoyed watching movies,
planning family vacations, and attending church functions.On December 28, 1997, Abe married his best friend Marvell Copeland at Bowen Memorial Baptist Church in Mt.Vernon, New York.
When Abe married Marvell he also welcomed her daughter, Taiisha, as his daugh¬ter.From day one, they had a bond and their family began to grow.To their union, they birthed Jordan and Jurnee.Abe’s 3 children were his pride and joy.
In his late thirties, he found his path to God.On June 4, 2000, Abe was ordained as a deacon at Bowen Memorial Baptist Church by Reverend Hugh Farrish.Abe was always looking out for others.He was greatly concerned for and cared deeply for the well being of others and he showed his love in both actions and words.He organized several outreach programs through the City of Mt.Vernon to help young men build career paths.He also coached several local basketball teams.
Abe always had an eye for style, even from a young age.People who knew him can attest to this, he was a sharp dresser.He was what you would call dapper.He was not always the most organized, but he knew how to wear a suit.Abe had a pas¬sion for many things including golf, which his father taught him how to play.He quickly surpassed the skills of his father on the course and went on to become an avid golfer, playing in many workplace tournaments with his father and bringing home trophies.
Abe leaves to mourn his wife of 18 years Reverend Marvell Coker, children Taiisha Swinton, Jordan Coker, and Jurnee Coker.His mother Enid Coker and father Oladeyinde Coker; sisters Jennifer Coker-Wiggins, Toyin Coker, Nike Coker, Natasha Coker and brothers Michael Coker, Ryan Coker and an older sister Ore in Nigeria; his beloved nephews Dougie, Joshua, Adebayo; loving nieces Janae and Lavon.They all have great stories about Abe.He is predeceased by his younger brother Lonnie Coker, brother-in-law Larry T.Wiggins and mother-in-law Minnie Copeland.
At the time of his death, he was a member of Gospel Tabernacle under the leader¬ship of Pastor Daryl Young. He had begun his studies in ministry to continue his passion for spreading God’s word.
Abe is survived by a large extended family, close relatives in the U.S., Nigeria, England, and Guyana.
Abiodun “Abe” Olarewaju Coker understood the art of the deal. He was still mak¬ing deals up until he passed on. Abe lived until he died, may he rest in peace.