Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Coakley, Gerald

Teacher; born Waiau, North Canterbury, New Zealand, 5 February 1895; died Sydney, 16 February 1967, aged 72.

Gerald Coakley entered the Society at Loyola College, Greenwich, 15 August 1914, and completed his juniorate there until he went to teach at St Aloysius' College, Milson's Point, 1919-1920. He went to Milltown Park, Dublin, and Vals, France, for philosophy studies, 1922-25, and Valkenburg, for theology, 1925-29. Tertianship was at St Beuno's, 1929-30.

He returned to Australia and taught science at St Patrick's College, 1931-45, as well as being editor of the Patrician, 1936-39. He was an avid reader and had a good memory for many facts, especially in matters scientific. This, combined with a gift for seeing the unusual and less obvious angle, made him a most interesting conversationalist.

After a few years working in the Norwood parish, he went to Holy Name seminary, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1947-58, where he was minister, and looked after the house and farm. He taught history of philosophy and chemistry at various times.

His last appointment was to St Aloysius' College, 1958-66, where he taught junior religion and did much work with the financial planning for the college redevelopment in 1962. He worked at this task with much enthusiasm and spent many hours filing documents, checking records, and making out receipts, while also taking a keen interest in every stage of the re-development. He took great pride in the establishment of every stage.

He became very depressed in the last few years of his life, and towards the end, when he developed heart and lung troubles, he decided not to keep fighting to stay alive. He was buried from the college, the boys forming a guard of honour as his body was being carried from the college.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)