- Date Of Birth: June 14, 1928
- Date Of Death: April 19, 2014
- State: Florida
George Patrick Coughlin was born June 14, 1928, on Flag Day in Pittsfield, MA.
After leaving the Navy, George married Rosemary “Ro” Goddeau and in 1950, became a professional firefighter in the Pittsfield MA Fire Department (PFD). He spent much of the first 16 years as a driver of Engine 5 on Pecks Road. He loved the camaraderie of his fellow firefighters and enjoyed the many years he helped with the Pittsfield Fireman’s 4th of July Parade and Fireman’s Muster.
George and Ro purchased a second home in Swiss Village Mobile Home Park, Winter Haven, FL where they spent 22 years as “snowbirds”. George discovered that the response time for emergency personnel to get to Swiss Village was about 9 minutes. He took it upon himself to advocate for a fire station closer to the many developments in the Lucerne and Old Lucerne Rd. area of Winter Haven.
In 2005, George began the last battle of his life as he became an invalid after post-operative complications. Out of necessity, he and Ro became permanent residents of Swiss Village. After Ro died 3-years ago, it took a cadre of care givers and guidance from Barbara Herrington and her employees from All About Aging to take up where Ro left off. During those last years, George experienced many medical emergencies requiring calls to 911. The first responders were always the firefighters from station No. 2 that George fought so hard for.
During the past year, George resided at Clare Bridge Assisted Living Facility (AFL) in Lakeland where he was taken care of by very skilled and caring staff. Recently, needing more care including that from Compassionate Care Hospice, he moved to the warm, home-like environment of Wedgewood ALF in Winter Haven.
George is survived by his 3 daughters: Patricia Krouson (Wally) of Lake Wales, FL, Debbi Merrill (Hank) of Weaver, AL, and Judy Coughlin PhD professor of education at Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, FL; 5 grandchildren: Lt. Col. Patrick Farrell USAF (Kate Debow), Jeremy Merrill, Kimberly Merrill Green (Joe), Katie Mesler, and Colleen Mesler; 3 great-grandchildren; nieces: Dianne Dudek and Sharon Coe of Pittsfield, MA, and Karen Schoenrock of CT; 3 nephews: Kevin, Michael, and Brian Coughlin of Rochester, NY; and his brother-in-law John Freiderick retired PFD captain.
As a young firefighter, George was a member of the Bobby Kidney Sunshine Club where he ran weekly movies for “shut-ins”. He served on the board of the directors of the Pittsfield Municipal Credit Union, and was a member of the Forest Wardens Association of Berkshire County and the North American Family Campers Association. At Swiss Village, George held various elected positions and volunteered for numerous social activities. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
George passed away peacefully on April 19, 2014, due to natural causes.
