Obituary of Dennis W. Coughlin, Jr.

Dennis W. Coughlin, Jr., age 70, passed away on Friday, October 18^th at Palm Center in Chelmsford, following a lengthy illness. 

Born in Brookline, MA on June 18, 1954, he was one of four children of the late Dennis W. and Dorothy (Ryan) Coughlin.  Dennis was raised in Woburn, and graduated from Woburn High School with the Class of 1972.  After high school, Dennis spent a year at UMass Dartmouth, where he furthered his education and got to play his favorite sport: hockey.  Following his education, he went on to work as an industrial inspector for Madico for over 28 years, until his retirement.

Dennis was known for many things throughout his life; but arguably the most impressive thing was his incredible memory.  He would proclaim himself that he had “a plethora of useless knowledge”.  To his friends and family though, it was far from useless.  When they needed to remember something that happened in a Red Sox game in 1968, Dennis always had their back—and the correct answer.  He loved watching New England sports, and did everything in his power not to miss the Bruins.  Dennis also loved collecting; anything from coins and stamps to baseballs, and even comic books.  In his younger years, if he wasn’t playing hockey, or watching a game on TV, you could find Dennis at a concert or listening to music.  He enjoyed the classics, like Led Zepplin, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd; and reveled in the fact that he and Paul McCartney shared a birthday.  Above all else though, Dennis loved his family.  His daughter, grandchildren, siblings, and lifelong friends from the neighborhood meant the world to him, and he took great care to make lasting memories with them every chance he got.

Surviving Dennis is his dear daughter, Melissa Murray and her husband Kevin of Ft. Collins, CO; his two wonderful grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as Grandude, Kaya and Jude Murray; his two loving sisters, Diane Raposo and her husband Edward of Wakefield, and Christine Burke and her husband Christopher of Chelmsford; his brother-in-law Michael Dorval of Easthampton; his nieces and nephew, Emily Raposo and Matthew Raposo, and Briana Dorval; his great-niece, Sophia, as well as many other dear relatives and friends.

Dennis was the adoring brother of the late Kathleen Coughlin, who passed in 2017, and whom he loved dearly.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 26^th from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington.  His Funeral Service will be held in the Funeral Home at 11 a.m.  Burial will immediately follow at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.  As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Special Olympics by mail to: 512 Forest St., Marlborough, MA 01752 or by following the link.