Michael Joseph Coughlin

"There is no such thing as a natural born pilot. Flying is an obsession, the one thing in life they must do continually. Experience is everything. The eagerness to learn how and why every piece of equipment works is everything." - Chuck Yeager On Friday, February 21, 2025, Michael 'Joseph' Coughlin passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and his wife's family. Michael was born on October 18, 1983 to Diane Marie Coughlin and Daniel Stevens Coughlin of Newfane, Vermont at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. From the time he was a child, he was a dreamer. His dreams of flying began as early as a toddler, when he flew along in his Dad's plane; a single engine Cherokee 140 Piper, happily secured in his car seat. Around the age of four, Michael created his "Parachute" with a flat bedsheet and rope. He was ready to climb to the top of the deck rail to take his first jump. And his Mom stopped him. Michael also attended many Air Shows and Car Shows throughout his life. If it burned fuel, Michael always wanted to get his hands either behind the wheel, yoke or wrench on it. Michael also spent a great deal of time learning. Especially when it came to anything Mechanical. He started learning as a young child from his Father. Michael honed his skills with everything from Lawn Mowers to Four Wheelers or Vehicles and eventually... Airplanes and Helicopters. 'Joseph', as his Father, Wife and extended family often called him, lived a life of fulfillment for the 41 years he spent with friends, family... and sometimes strangers in his many adventures. An avid Outdoorsman; starting his path on that journey as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, Michael never backed down from a challenge. He spent much of his time hiking the Long Trail in Vermont, completing at least half of it. He also spent a lot of time in the woods hunting, or by a creek or river catching Trout. Michael attended Newfane Elementary School, Leland and Gray Middle School and High School and then focused his attention on attending the Windham Regional Career Center at Brattleboro High School, graduating in 2002. He learned even more of the basics and some advanced skills during his time at the Career Center. On top of attending High School Full-Time, Michael also worked for AMF Motorsports in Chesterfield, New Hampshire. There, Michael installed Suspensions on Racecars and other performance vehicles. After graduating from High School, Michael attended Daniel Webster College in Nashua, New Hampshire. There, he trained, studied and learned how to become a pilot. He joined the Air Force ROTC Program at DWC and was nominated for a full scholarship for the next three years. Michael was unable to accept the scholarship and career because of a color deficiency issue with his vision. He then looked into joining the Marine Corps ROTC to become a helicopter pilot but that did not come to fruition because of the same color deficiency. After a few years of studying at Daniel Webster College, Michael transferred to his "Dream" School; Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. There he spent three of the most valuable years of his life. He completed his Bachelors Degree for Aerospace Studies in 2008. All the while, he worked Full-Time while studying. He graduated Cum Laude and was nominated for the Chancellors Award. Soon after graduating from Embry Riddle, Michael; And his beloved Chocolate Lab, Eddie, moved to Tacoma, Washington. Michael completed a six month paid internship at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, working in Wildlife Regulation. This opportunity truly combined his love of Aviation and the Outdoors. It wasn't long after... that Michael moved back to Vermont. There, he accepted a position as an Aviation Mechanic at Heritage Aviation in Burlington. Michael spent years working on and maintaining Private Jets and Planes for clients ranging from Jake Burton; Founder of Burton Snowboards, Comedian and Actor Jerry Seinfeld and many more. In 2013, Michael moved to New York's Capitol Region where he accepted another Aviation Mechanic position with North American Flight Services in Saratoga Springs. During his time in New York, Michael obtained his Airframe and Powerplant Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration after weeks of schooling, A Certification from Robinson Helicopter, among others. In 2017, Michael accepted another Aviation Mechanic position with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in Westfield, Massachusetts. During his time at Gulfstream, Michael attended Online Courses through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, eventually obtaining his Master's Degree in Human Factors in Aviation. Michael was eventually promoted at Gulfstream to SMS Site Process Manager, where he conducted Internal Investigations. "You know, the finest line a man will walk is between success at work and success at home." - John Candy Throughout all of this work and education, and during his time in Westfield, Massachusetts... Michael met his eventual Wife, Sandra Becerra Flores Coughlin, they were married in October 2020 at Brattleboro Living Memorial Park overlooking a gorgeous view of the West River Valley in Vermont. This past October, they were blessed to have been able to celebrate their 5th Wedding Anniversary together. Michael leaves behind his beloved Wife, Sandra Coughlin, his Father, Daniel S. Coughlin, his Mother, Diane M. Cecere, and younger Brothers; Blaine Coughlin, Evan Coughlin, Stephen Collins, Sister-In-Law Chikako Coughlin, Sister, Gillian Lucero-Love and Grandmother Bernice Coughlin. Michael will forever be known for his intelligence, wit, sense of humor, selflessness and love for others. Michael grew up playing Baseball, Soccer, Skateboarding and Snowboarding with his core group of Friends and Brothers. He was Snowboarding as recently as 2024, despite his state of health. He was also an avid music lover... attending many concerts throughout his lifetime with Friends and Family. Michael was also an avid Traveler. He spent time in Ireland, Peru, Japan, Italy, Germany, Mexico and Canada. Michael also traveled a lot domestically, driving across the United States several times and most recently traveling to Alaska with his Wife and close friends, Chris and Liz Taylor. He also lived in a lot of places. Growing up in Vermont, then living in New Hampshire, New York, Florida, Arizona, Washington, Massachusetts, eventually buying a home and settling down in Windsor, Connecticut. In 2020, Michael was diagnosed with a rare form of Appendix Cancer. For five years, Michael received Chemotherapy, Radiation and Experimental Treatments through Yale and UMass. It is likely that because of the research from these Experimental Treatments he experienced through Yale, that lives will be saved as a result. Yale's Director of Appendiceal Cancer Medical Trials recently told Michael that his participation provided enough information to help save thousands of lives. In lieu of donations and flowers, our family is organizing a scholarship fund in his name aimed at supporting those interested in the Aviation Field. The family is planning a celebration of life in May. Further details will be announced in the near future. Michael's burial will be a private ceremony. Michael and his Mother, Diane, were also Members of The Ancient Order of Hibernians; The Oldest and Largest Irish-Catholic Organization in the United States. The Irish Blessings of Saint Patrick: "May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand." To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael, please visit our floral store.