Francis "Frank" Coghlan

Francis "Frank" Coghlan On January 6, 2007 surrounded by family as always Frank was the only child of Theodora and Frank Coghlan. Frank leaves Carmel, his wife of over 57 years, whom he adored. His seven children: Edward (Dianne) Coghlan, Kathleen (James) Toomey, Mary (Channing) Rudd, Sally (Steven) McDonald, Ellen (Peter) DeGolia, Joan (Vince) Fausone and Patrick (Julie) Coghlan, will miss him terribly. He was the proud and loving grandfather of Kelly (James) Sheridan, Casey, Kevin, Mary Clare and Tootsa Coghlan; Colleen, William, Matthew and Bridget Toomey; Clare and Patrick Rudd; Edward, Timothy and Maggie McDonald; Peter Jr., Leigh and Jeffrey DeGolia; Vinny and Jack Fausone; and Emma Coghlan; and the great-grandfather of Sydney, Jaymee and Kathryn Sheridan. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a great source of joy to Frank. Frank was a native and true San Franciscan. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1941 and began his college career at Notre Dame University. His education was interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of San Francisco. Frank married Carmel Casey in 1949 and started to raise their family. He owned the Frank Coghlan Co. for many years which eventually merged to create the firm of Maroevich, O'Shea and Coghlan. Frank was an avid swimmer and especially loved swimming in San Francisco Bay and Lake Tahoe. Frank held the world record for his 1978 solo swim 13 miles across Lake Tahoe. His seven children called him "Double Dip Frank" after his swims across New York Harbor Verazzano Narrows and across San Francisco's Golden Gate on the same day. He started the Trans-Tahoe Relay Race in 1977 as a competition between the Olympic Club and South End Rowing Club as he was always active in both clubs. That small race grew into an annual event and is now an international swimming competition with dozens of relay teams. His fellow South Enders named a beach in his honor many years ago and that club still holds the "Coghlan Beach" swim annually. Frank was also a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Friends are invited to visit Wednesday, 6:00pm followed by a Vigil Service at 7:00pm at St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Street (and Fulton St.), San Francisco. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated, Thursday, 10:00am at St. Ignatius Church. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations in Frank's memory can be made to Lattice Educational Services 3273 Airway Dr., Ste A, Santa Rosa, California 95402 or to CCS/Medical Therapy Unit, 1595 Quintara Street, San Francisco, California 94116 for a summer Art-Tech Camp for physically disabled children, or to the charity of your choice.