THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 17, 1995 TAG: 9512150200
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Robecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
Though he's an avid fly fisherman, you won't find John Coffey wading in a stream with a rod in his hand any time soon - even if the trout were biting this time of year.
That's because tax season is right around the corner, and Coffey is too busy preparing for it.
As coordinator of a program that provides free personal income tax preparation assistance to older residents, Coffey is looking for volunteers to participate in a three-week training period that begins Jan. 8.
Special training is given in tax provisions that affect older people, such as pensions, retirement funds, death of a spouse, sale of a primary residence and eligibility requirements for tax credit for the elderly.
Training is provided by employees of the Internal Revenue Service and by tax instructors from the American Association of Retired Persons.
After passing an exam, volunteers then work as counselors, helping older tax-filers five hours a week throughout the tax season.
``The fact is when people start doing this work, they find their contact with people so rewarding,'' said Coffey, 77, who has volunteered himself for about 10 years.
Senior citizens, 60 or older, with moderate to low incomes are eligible for the free tax service. The service is also available to shut-ins and nursing home residents.
``We also help anybody, regardless of age, after we've taken care of our primary group,'' said Coffey. ``If we don't have any elderly waiting in line, we'll take anybody.''
In Portsmouth, locations will be set up at the Churchland and Manor branch libraries, and at West End United Methodist, Trinity Episcopal and Cradock Presbyterian churches.
``They don't even have to read the instructions,'' said Coffey. ``We read the instructions. We're up-to-date on the tax provisions and we do it repeatedly. It's not difficult once you do it.
``But for a person who isn't up to date, it's a difficult job.''
In addition to being the citywide coordinator of the program, Coffey is also one of the AARP tax instructors and a volunteer counselor at the Trinity Church site. He does not get paid for his work.
``There are no paid people involved in this,'' the Swimming Point resident said. ``We do get reimbursed for charges like parking fees, mileage, tolls, things like that. But some people don't take any reimbursement.''
Since training, as well as the service, is offered during the day, most volunteers are usually older and retired themselves.
Coffey's biggest challenge each year ``is keeping a happy attitude.'' His work would be made much easier, he said, if he had more volunteers and more people interested in becoming instructors.
``That would help spread the work out,'' he said.
Name: John F. Coffey.
Nickname: Johnny (to my high school friends).
Neighborhood: Swimming Point.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 24
Birthplace: Portland, Ore.
Birthdate: Nov. 2, 1918.
Occupation: Retired lieutenant colonel, U.S. Marine Corps.
What job other than your own would you like? Cabinet maker.
Marital status: Married a girl from Churchland I met in 1943.
Children: Two sons.
Grandchildren: One granddaughter, 13.
Fondest childhood memory: Having a ``Summer Girl,'' a sort of ice cream soda, in a department store restaurant with my mother.
First concert: I don't remember, but the Virginia Opera production of ``La Traviata'' in 1977 ignited a continuing love of opera.
What song or book title best describes your life? Semper Fidelis.
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? A party for my friends wherever, transportation and lodging paid.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be? Myself on my wedding day.
Biggest accomplishment: Being lucky.
Most embarrassing moment: Having capsized a rowboat in the surf and while dragging it to shore someone in the gathered crowd informed me that the seat of my bathing suit had ripped.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To be 16 again.
Perfect way to spend the day: Fly fishing for large trout while wading in a stream.
I can't resist: Another cup of coffee.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Cafe Europa.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: My home.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: A state law allowed rural counties to declare themselves cities, thus blocking Portsmouth's normal expansion and preventing its gaining more land. This law has harmed both Portsmouth and Norfolk.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Everyone combat litter. Pick it up, put it in the can.
To become a part of one big South Hampton Roads city, regardless of what it is called.
For all of our young people to see an optimistic future and go for it.
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth?
Not having to drive much.
Having so many nice people around.
Its very pleasant spring, fall and winter. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
by CNB