Posted by Christopher Coughlin on October 2, 2010:

On behalf of the entire Coughlin family we want to extend our thanks and gratitude for your love and support over the past few days. Though this is a difficult time it is important to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Col. Thomas Black Coughlin... affectionately known as The Colonel, Black Bat, and Grandpapa. Where do we begin to share the love and friendship of a man we got to know, respect and love. My father was born in Kingston NY, and raised by his mother, Jane. He was accepted into West Point where he dedicated his life to the service of our country. His career in the Army led him to the love of his life. While stationed in Italy he met and fell in love with Bruna. He swept Bruna from the beaches of Italy and took her to the foreign land of the United States. This began the beginning of a love story that lasted fifty six years. He was always grateful for Bruna's support and loyalty during the many moves and and hardships of his military career. I can speak for myself and my four siblings that we could always count on our dad's support. He was always cheering us on during swimming, football and rugby matches. He continued this support to this day to his grandchildren. He stood behind the scenes at Glenbrook North and was asked to join the team and be able to watch practice on the sidelines. We will remember my dad as the man who was the number one Cubs fan, did crossword puzzles, always found time for his daily nap, proudly participated in the Senior Olympics, who would always look forward to a Chester Keeper outings, to his final trip to Minocqua, his countless tennis matches, to his weekly family dinners which he hoped would be mostacholi, and his faith that led him to be a true gentleman. Here I leave you with my final thoughts... My dad will be with us forever whether it is on the football field with Tom and Peter or in the hallways of school with Colleen and Matt, at Blue Grass with Pat and Emily, in the Valley of the Sun with Chris, and at nursing school with Elizabeth or with his best accomplishments his five children Loren, Patti, Chris, Andrew and me along with his amazing daughter-in-laws Beth Ann and Judy. And mostly the mother of his children the love his life, Bruna. I can only imagine him saying, "I kiss you goodbye and thank you for the memories. Though I am not here with you, I will always be in your hearts forever." CUBS WIN CUBS WIN

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