"Dear Jackie, Janet and I send our condolences to you and the boys on the loss of Dick. He was a true patriot and outstanding Naval Officer who contributed in a very meaningful and selfless way to our Country. You all will be in our prayers. Farewell and fair winds and following seas to Dick, a friend and shipmate."
In loving memory of
Richard Daniel Coogan
December 3, 1929 - August 21, 2005
MIDDLETOWN, RI ? Captain Richard Daniel Coogan, US Navy retired, 75, of Middletown, RI, died at Newport Hospital on Sunday, August 21, 2005. He was born on December 3, 1929, in Fall River, Massachusetts to the late William and Elizabeth Coogan and is pre-deceased by his older brother William Coogan II, who died as a US Naval aviator in World War II. He attended Monsignor Coyle High School in Somerset, Massachusetts and graduated in 1948. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1953 and received a commission into the Untied States Navy. Captain Coogan served in numerous duty stations and held several commands including: USS Botetourt AP-136, USS Osterstetter DER-244, USS Rhodes DER-384, USS Richard S. Edwards DD-950, USS Parsons D-949, US Naval War College Staff, Commanding Officer COMRIVDIV 54 Vietnam, Commanding Officer USS Samuel B. Roberts DD-823, Exectuive Officer and Commanding Officer US Naval Destroyer School, Commodore NAVSPECWARGRU 2, Chief of Staff US Forces Korea, Dean of Administration US Naval War College. During his tenure in the Navy Captain Coogan earned a post graduate degree at the Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey and a graduate degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. His navy commendations include the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V and Purple Heart. After retiring from the Navy in 1984, Captain Coogan worked for several years with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. His final employment was with the Middletown School Department for 8 years ending in 1995. Captain Coogan spent many years in the early 1970s as the President of the Middletown Little League ensuring that every child had the opportunity to participate. Captain Coogan is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jacqueline M. Coogan, his sister Barbara Santerre of Tucson, AZ, by his two sons Nicholas and William, and their wives Anne and Elizabeth. In addition Captain Coogan is survived by seven grandchildren who adored their Grandfather, Thomas, Bennet, Daniel, Harrison, Molly, Weston and Elizabeth Coogan. A Celebration and Remembrance of Captain Coogan?s life will be held at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI, on Friday, August 26, 2005, from 4-7pm. A Memorial service will be held at St. Columba Berkeley Memorial Chapel, 55 Vaucluse Avenue, Middletown, RI on Saturday morning August 27, 2005, at 10:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Middletown Education Collaborative www.mecmec.org and St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org.
Tributes
"Mrs. Coogan, Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your dear husband. My heart and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Nick and Billy with deepest sympathy in the loss of your dear father. I was very sad to hear of his passing. I have many fond memories of our childhood growing up on Balsam Ave in Middletown. Your father was so patient to have the entire neighborhood playing in his backyard. I remember many times he would come out and join us or help fix whatever we broke or needed help with. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. With Sincere Sympathy Mary Duffy"
"Dear Aunt Jackie, Nick, Bill & Grandchildren: My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. Uncle Dick was truly a wonderful man and I feel so fortunate to have had him as my Uncle and Godfather. I have many happy memories of times spent together. He always made me feel as if I were someone special. His influence and kindness have been instrumental in making me the person I am today."
"Captain Coogan was a model patriot both in and out of uniform. We are all in his debt for his services to his country and to his community, and for his great success in raising a fine family that will carry on in his tradition."
"Jackie and the boys. The boss Capt was a great friend and teacher. I will always treasure my time serving with him at SpecWar and the War College. We are trully sorry for your loss and assure you that he and you are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless"