COBURN, Captain Harold W. “Chub” of Weston and Onset, February 12, 2015. Beloved husband of Jane M. (Murphy) Coburn for 63 years. Devoted father of Denise C. Hixon and her husband Charles D. of Hopkinton, Lisa C. Van Dusen and her husband Barry W. of Princeton, Jayne C. Allison and her husband R. Keith of Weston and Onset, Anne C. Haarmann and her late husband Cornelius W. of Wyckoff, NJ, and Caroline C. Cooney and her husband John F. of Mansfield. Grandfather of Landry, Cornelia, James, Daniel, John, Christine, Patricia, and Meghan. Also survived by 6 great-grandchildren. Brother of Thomas E. Coburn of Falmouth.
Capt. Harold W. Coburn grew up on the family farm in Weston. He is a 1947 graduate of Weston High School and attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduating in 1950. Between 1954-1956 he served as Navy 1st Lieutenant on the USS Elokomin during the Korean Conflict. He was later commissioned a captain in the U.S. Naval reserve and was an officer on U.S. Navy chartered ships carrying ammunition to Vietnam, Thailand, Korea and northern European ports. He enjoyed a 38 year career as a merchant marine officer with U.S. Lines from 1950-1988. He was master on the SS American Corsair, SS American Challenger, SS American Ace, SS American Aquarius, and the M.V. American Alabama. During his memorable career, he withstood general alarms in Japanese waters, took part in operation Head Start and acquired a lifetime of sea stories. Capt. Coburn has received many honors including MMA Alumnus Man of the Year in 2001. The Propeller Club honored him for distinguished service for the Port of Boston in 2005. He was a life member of the Boston Marine Society serving as president, trustee and chairman for several committees and in 2012 was honored in recognition of his contributions to the maritime community. He also served as President of the Boston Port and Seaman’s Aid Society. During his retirement he skied, golfed, was a horseracing fan, assisted his wife in her antiques business, and served as a volunteer at Metro West Medical Center and his church.
Visiting Hours: George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., Wellesley, Thursday, Feb. 19 from 4-8PM. Funeral Mass at St. Julia Church, Weston Center, Friday, Feb. 20 at 11AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Harold’s memory to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Foundation, Class of 1950 Scholarship Fund, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532.