John Patrick "Jack" Coughlin

John Patrick "Jack" Coughlin

John Patrick “Jack” Coughlin, age 86, of Erie, died Sunday, March 4, 2007 at Hamot Medical Center. He was born March 17, 1920 in Erie, a son of the late Daniel and Bertha Knoll Coughlin. He was a graduate of Cathedral College then joined the United States Army during WWII where he served in the European Theater upon his return he completed his Bachelor’s Degree from Western Reserve College. Mr. Coughlin received a Master’s Degree from Allegheny College and a second Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan. He was the assistant professor of Library Science at the University of Iowa in Ames, Iowa. He was appointed to the Notre Dame Faculty but family responsibilities brought him back to Erie. He was a teacher of Library Science at Roosevelt School for over 30 years. He was a member of Saint Peter Cathedral where he served as a Sacristan and usher for many years. He was instrumental in planting and caring for all the pink roses at the church. Pope John Paul II honored and made him a Knight of Saint Gregory. He was an avid antique collector. He was preceded in death by two cousins, Margaret Ann Etter and Walter Coughlin. He is survived by his goddaughter, Mollie Hetzel of Princeton, N.J. and her mother, Marianne Hetzel and her husband Fred of Princeton, N.J.; and three cousins, Pat Brugger and her husband L. Tim, Barb Coughlin and Mike Coughlin and his wife Judy all of Erie.He is also survived by many dear friends.

Friends may call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, an Independent Care Group Affiliate, on Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and may attend a Funeral Mass on Saturday at Saint Peter Cathedral, 230 West 10th Street, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in TrinityCemetery.