SHELTON, Conn. (Jan. 2, 2008) — Bill Coffey, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Latex International L.L.C., died Dec. 31 at his home in Shelton after a brief illness.
The 80-year-old Coffey was a graduate of Boston College and a long-time veteran of the latex foam industry. He launched his career in the business in 1951 as a chemist for B.F. Goodrich´s Sponge Rubber Products Division. During his 24-year tenure with the firm, Coffey headed up the company´s polymer and research and development operations.
He co-founded Latex International, a maker of latex mattresses components and pillows, in 1975 and, following two fires, helped rebuild the company out of the ashes twice.
The author of two rubber industry patents and a worldwide consultant on the Talalay latex manufacturing process, Coffey also was a past chairman of the Rubber Manufacturers Association´s Latex Foam Technical Committee.