AN INTERNATIONAL economist and author who was born and brought up in York has died, aged 79.

A memorial service will be held at St Oswald’s Church, Fulford at 2 pm on Wednesday, May 15, in memory of Peter Coffey, who died suddenly in Seattle, USA.

His brother, Keith, said Peter was raised in Fulford and Acomb and attended Nunthorpe Grammar School, where he was involved in drama productions, and had a keen interest in the arts and theatre.

“Following military service in the Royal Navy, he studied at the Universities of Durham in Britain and Duke in the USA on a Fulbright Scholarship,” he said.

“In Europe, he held positions at the Universities of Loughborough and Amsterdam. As a result of his publications and lecturing skills, he was given the personal US West Chair in International Relations and Economics at the University of St Thomas, Minnesota, USA. He then held the Emeritus Chair at that University.”

Mr Coffey published more than 30 books. He recently completed a family history book, Four Brothers, set in wartime York.