WILLIAM G. COUGHLIN

1932 - 2024

COUGHLIN, William G. William G. Coughlin William Gordon Coughlin, who was born at the Boston-Lying-In Hospital on July 9, 1932, passed away peacefully at his home, in Brookline on June 3, 2024. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Sally; his beloved children, Bart, Read and Kate and their respective spouses, Mette, Kate and Lloyd; as well as his seven grandchildren, Schuyler, Mead, Emme, Peter, William, Charlie and Peyton. He is also survived by his precious Norwich Terrier, Oliver. Bill was a proud graduate of The Roxbury Latin School, the oldest school in continuous existence in North America. Roxbury Latin helped prepare him for matriculation at Harvard College, but more importantly RL acted as a guide and mentor to a boy who lost his father when he was only ten. At Harvard, Bill joined the Phoenix-SK Club and the Hasty Pudding Club, as well becoming the Captain of the Light Weight Crew. After graduating in 1955, Bill spent two years serving with the United States Army in France. Upon his return to Boston in 1958, he embarked upon his life-long career in commercial real estate, becoming a founding member of Ryan, Elliott and Company. Rarely seen without one of his signature bow ties (most of which were hand-made Christmas or birthday gifts from Sally), Bill was a gentleman with many interests. He loved collecting art, gardening, attending Boston Baroque and Handel & Haydn concerts, reading-he was an avid reader literally drowning in books, jigsaw puzzles, golfing, foreign travel and even learning at age 55 to play the saxophone! Some of Bill's happiest days were spent walking on the outer beach in Eastham, exploring the back roads of Nelson, NH or picking wild blueberries wherever he could find them. A gregarious fellow, Bill enjoyed his memberships in the Union Boat Club, The Country Club, the Somerset Club, the Boston Athenaeum and the Brookline Thursday Club. A family Celebration of his Life will be held at a later date. Gifts in his memory may be made to The William G. Coughlin Scholarship Fund at Roxbury Latin.

View the online memorial for William G. COUGHLIN