Obituary of Daniel John Coughlin
Daniel John Coughlin, born in Corona, Queens, New York on October 2, 1928, to Mae (Tucker) and Daniel Coughlin. Dan had an older brother, James, and has a younger sister Joan Fuger.
Orphaned at a young age, the children were separated and raised by relatives. This experience drove Dan to value family, faith, and hard work.
He served his country as a Marine, began his career as a salesman with Stoeger Arms, which took him by car to the 48 contiguous states. He met the love of his life Margie at Jones Beach, and they married in 1953. Their marriage lasted 67 years until Margie’s passing in 2021. They made their home in Danbury where they raised three daughters, Liz, Joan, Linda and a son, Sean. A lifetime member of St. Gregory the Great church, Sunday morning mass was a ritual. In 1959 Dan put aside his days of on-the-road sales travel when he purchased the Sport Mart business in downtown Westport, Ct. The Sport Mart became an important part of the Coughlin family life. Dan’s strong work ethic, his charismatic and charming way made for a successful career. A key figure in the Westport downtown community, he was president of the Downtown Merchants Association who’s work, and vision revitalized and beautified the area.
Summers, at his home in Seaside Park, New Jersey, were legendary, with kids, cousins and friends from all over. Dan and Marge had created the family he missed out on growing up. The house at Seaside, referred to as Camelot, was the epitome of family togetherness and fun times.
Dan loved music, opera, Beethoven, show tunes and his favorite Perry Como. There was always music playing. He had many interests and always had the family busy, tennis, skiing, boating on Candlewood Lake, Broadway shows. When he retired, he and Margie travelled to Europe, and took cruises. He made several trips to Ireland researching his ancestry.
Dan was a volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, Dorothy Day House, and the Food Bank.
Dan is survived by his daughters Liz Doyle (Jack), Joan Dickinson, Linda Fergusson (Stan), his son Sean Coughlin (Jen), 7 grandchildren Christopher Fergusson (Katie), Meghan Fergusson (Flora Lichtman), Kristin Doyle, Sam Dickinson, Lauren, Allie and Liam Coughlin and by five great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank those who skillfully and lovingly cared for Dan and Marge: Marie Winters and Hospice.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Dan will be held at St. Gregory the Great Church, Danbury on Saturday, June 17th at 10:00 am.
Donations can be made to St. Gregory’s Church, Danbury Ct. or RVNA Hospice, Governor St, Ridgefield CT.
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