Thomas E. Coughlin
Former Research and Industrial Chemist, Tyngsborough Selectman; 92
TYNGSBOROUGH – Thomas “Ed” Coughlin, 92, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Saints Medical Center. He was the beloved husband of Alice (Primeau) Coughlin of Tyngsborough who survives him.
Born in Stamford, Connecticut on February 6, 1916, a son of the late Thomas B. and Mae C. (Fahey) Coughlin. He was educated in Framingham, Mass., Boston College High School and Boston College. He served his country in the National Guard and the US Army Reserve during World War II. During the period, he also administered a special U.S. Government contract through the family business, Coated Products, which he founded with his father, on gas masks for the war effort.
A 60 year Research and Development Chemist and Executive Vice President at Worthen Industries of Nashua, he was a tireless worker whose passion for his profession permeated his entire life. He retired at the age of 80 after a full lifetime of establishing his own company, Coated Products, in 1938 in Lowell, and selling it to Worthen Industries in 1965. Having developed, registered, and brought to market several major U.S. Patents within the adhesive and coating industry, he pioneered the development of one of the first synthetic rubber applications in the United States.
An avid sportsman, his life was filled with the love of the outdoors, high adventure and competitive sports. His past active memberships included the Appalachian Mountain Club, Greater Lowell Sportsman Club, Greater Lowell Beagle Club, American Yacht Club of Newburyport, and the Hochflieger Ski Club on Mt. Washington. Over the years, he became Commandant and a Life Member of the American Yacht Club where he excelled in competitive ocean sailing. A summer resident of Plum Island, he appreciated all aspects of the area and its natural beauty.
He promoted strong civic responsibility and served his community for a generation as Town Moderator, and then, as a member of the Board of Selectman and Board of Health for 6 years. He, and his fellow Board members persuaded then Governor Frank Sargent to provide the funds for the first lights on the Tyngsborough Bridge. Prior to elected office, he took great pride in working to literally “lay the bricks” in the construction of Fire Station #2 on Lakeview Avenue, along with other respected Tyngsborough Volunteer Firemen whose manual volunteer labor was a hallmark of their love of community.
As an accomplished photographer and writer, he also served as a part time town correspondent for the Nashua Telegraph and the Lowell Sun. An avid reader and lover of the arts, he and his wife held Boston Symphony season tickets for over 30 years. He was a member of the Philosophy Foundation in Waltham for over a decade studying meditation and eastern philosophy.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two children, Elizabeth Coughlin and Kevin Coughlin, and their mother Gladys Coughlin, all of Tyngsborough. In addition, he is survived by a mother in law, Stella Primeau, of Tyngsborough; a sister in law, Sylvia Coughlin of Peabody; a sister in law, Lillian Robertson and her husband, Richard, of Lowell; a brother in law, William Primeau and his wife Jeannie of Dunstable; a sister in law, Rita McLaughlin of Florida; a sister in law, Ann Cashman and her husband Thomas of Tyngsborough; a brother in law, George Primeau of Ogunquit, Maine; a sister in law, Mary Nason and her husband Gilbert of Hampton, N.H.; a brother in law, John Primeau and his wife, Ruth Ann, of Dunstable; a brother in law, Joseph Primeau, of Hudson, N.H.; an aunt, Angelina Kaczmarski of Lowell; and an aunt, Katherine Kolek of Dracut. Also many cousins, including the Firla Family of Connecticut and the Coughlin Family of Montague, Mass. Also many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Shirley Oliver of Westford and Richard Coughlin of Tyngsborough.
Friends may call at DRACUT FUNERAL HOME 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, on Tuesday from 4 until 8 PM. His Funeral will be held from the funeral home on Wednesday at 9 AM followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 AM in St. Rita's Church, Lowell. Interment in Tyngsboro Memorial Cemetery, Tyngsboro. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Saints Medical Center, Hospital Drive, Lowell, Mass., www.saintsmedicalcenter.com