Rev. Howard Louis Coughlin

January 3, 1927 - February 17, 2008

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The Reverend Howard Louis Coughlin, 81, resident of 115 Ivy Dr., Simpsonville, Pastor Emeritus of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Mauldin, died Sunday, February 17, 2008 at his residence. A son of the late Joseph Anthony and Gertrude Handel Coughlin, he was born in Youngstown, Ohio January 3, 1927. He was reared in Midland, PA, where he graduated from Lincoln High School and worked part-time during his teen years in the local steel mills. He then served with the US Army during WWII, with the Army of Occupation in Bavaria, Germany. At age 20, he entered the Trappist Monastery, Abbey of Gethsemane, Trappist, KY where he made his first vows and in November of 1949 was sent with a group of 30 to begin a new monastery, Our Lady of Mepkin at Moncks Corner. Father Coughlin was ordained as a priest on August 22, 1953. In January of 1968, he requested an authorization to become a Diocesan Priest and was accepted by the Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston. Subsequently, he served as Associate Pastor of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, Columbia from January 1968 until June 1973; Pastor of Saint Andrew's Catholic Church, Bluffton from June 1973 until June 1978; and Pastor of Saint Phillip's Catholic Church, Lake City from June 1978 until June 1983; Pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church from June 1983 until June 2002. Father Coughlin was founding Pastor of Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church on Woodruff Road, Simpsonville. In August of 2007, he celebrated his 54th year in the Priesthood. Father Coughlin was Chaplain of the Catholic War Veterans, L. J. O'Toole, Jr. Post No. 1909, Simpsonville, a member of VFW Post No. 9273 at Donaldson Center, Piedmont, and was Fourth Degree and Chaplain of the George L. Gagnan Council No. 8182, Knights of Columbus, Mauldin. He was an avid bowler and an eye donor. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Agnes C. Daniels, of Worth, IL and Sister Marian Coughlin, SND, of Chardon, OH; two brothers, Robert J. Coughlin, of Cincinnati, OH and C. Leo Coughlin, of Binghamton, NY; and many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Teresa Coughlin, Alice Honaker, and Elizabeth Lucas; and four brothers, Joseph, Thomas, William, and Jack "John" Coughlin. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 6:00 pm Wednesday at the church, with visitation following until 9:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 12:10 pm at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal to follow in Graceland East Memorial Park. A luncheon will follow the committal at the church. Please bring your favorite Father Coughlin dish to share. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 8 Gillin Dr., Simpsonville, SC 29680. – Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown.

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Our hearts are truly heavy for the passing of one of our Comrades. Father Coughlin was a joy to know and to be around when he was able to come out to the Post. I'm sure he will be sorley missed by his family and many friends. We at VFW Post 9273 will mis

Father Bud, we will miss your smily faces on your cards and letters and all your jokes. Lovenly your Great, Great Nephew Tim and Nieces Kira and Julie P.S. from Julie please say Hello to my Uncle Jim for me, he went to heaven last May.

We have lost a very dear friend. Father Coughlin spent many hours and had many dinners in our home in Columbia, SC. when he was pastor at St. Joseph's. We loved his gentle manner. God Bless you, Father, we will miss you. Our loving thoughts to you

Fr. Coughlin was a caring priest and special man who took the time to make those around him feel special. He always had a hug for Colleen and a handshake for the boys. He was truly a blessing to our family, and we will miss him.

I grew up with some of Fr. Bud's nieces and nephews, the Honaker Family, in Midland, PA. I will always remember with great fondness Fr. Bud visiting, and saying Mass at our Church. He was always funny, and always had a big smile on his face. He was larg

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My favorite memories of Uncle Bud will be in my heart forever... always with a smile and a giant bear hug, swinging us in circles on the grass when we were small, drinking orange fizzies, playing whiffle ball in the back yard, drawing uncle henry pictures

We have so many memories of this kind and gentle man: his dancing at KofC New Year's Eve dinner at Council Home, swimming laps at the choir's summer party, when he first arrived at SEAS, at the marriage of our daughter in 2001, and our trip last summer t

My mom worked with Fr. Coughlin as the DRE at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for 17 years, and in those years my siblings and I came to love and cherish Father. He came to our house for dinner and games quite often when we were growing up. His sister, Sister Ma

Fr. Bud we will miss you always

We would like to extend our sincere condolences to Father Coughlinâ??s family. He was a caring, kindhearted priest. In his presence, you could feel the spirit and the love of God. We will miss him dearly and will keep him in our prayers.

We and our family would like to thank you very much Father Coughlin for being such a kindhearted priest. You were a great person and you genuinely cared for everyone. Condolences to Father Coughlin's family. You will surely be missed.

My heart and prayers are with the many family, friends and parishioners who loved my Uncle Bud. I wish I could be there. I'm so glad to have been able to visit Uncle Bud and his parishes over the years. And I'm glad he was able to travel to California and

One of my oldest memories of Uncle Bud is of visiting him while he was a Trappist Monk. He would play with us tireslessly, swinging us through the air until we begged him to "Do it again!" We got some of those memories captured on our original family movi

My husband and our four daughters have know Father since he came to St. Elizabeth and loved him very much.He has watched them grow up and had alot to do with their faith.He was such a Godly man and will be missed very, very much...The Good Lord has one of

I too remember fizzies, and Uncle Bud walking laps around our yard reading the bible, and the "Uncle Henry" he would draw on our scraped knees when we were hurt, along with blessing our banged up knees, elbows, etc. I haven't seen Uncle Bud in many years

Uncle Bud, Be sadly miss by your friend and family. Golf match and Bowling games you in enjoy it.

Father Coughlin, were it not for you, Cheryl and I would not be enjoying our Faith these days. Through your efforts alone we came back to the Church. We both are better persons for having known you. Thanks for all you have done for us as a couple, for me

Bud was a neighbor & a grade school student with me in Midland, Pa. The Coughlin Family was a joy to the neighborhood and Bud was a great childhood friend.

Father, You were such a joy to be with. You always welcomed us with open arms, love and understanding. We will never forget the peace and love we felt when we were in your presence. You were truly one of Jesus' great disciples. You served Our Lord w

What a gentle, humble, wonderful man! My family and I know we have been blessed to have had Fr. Couglin as our pastor for so many years. Though he is happy in heaven with our Lord and our Mother, words cannot express how much he will be missed. I feel gra

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We want to thank Father Coughlin for having been in our lives. He made a significant impact in our lives. He brought us through the darkest times any person could hope to live through. Through his constant prayers and talks he had with us, we are still do

My are with Uncle Bud and all our families. Our Uncle "Bud" You brought life into our hearts You gave us prayer to do our part You gave us hope instead of doubt You were the one to bring us out We loved you,and the twinkle in your eyes. I know God

Our family offers our heartfelt condolences to Father Coughlin's Family. Father Coughlin was a wise and caring Catholic Priest. He made an instant impact on me, and lead me back to God. He had spiritually cared for our family ever since. I consider it a

I have not seen my Uncle Bud since 1972 at my father's his brother, Joe funeral where Fr.Bud offered mass for his brother. I cannot imagine how difficult that must have been for him. He was a dear sweet man who was obviously greatly loved by not only hi

God bless you, Father. You were loved on earth, and I know you're loved in Heaven. You will be most missed, but I rejoice that you are now with Jesus and His Blessed Mother. Love you, Joan

Coughlin Family, Please know that many are thinking and praying for you at this time. Father Coughlin will truly be missed. He baptized two of our children and was especially loved by children. Those who knew him are truly saddened at this time becaus

To the Coughlin Family, Our deepest sympathy at this time of great loss. Thank you for sharing him with us all these years. He was truly a faithful servant of our Lord and a kind and loving man. He will be missed.

Father, I feel truly blessed to have had you in my life, as well as, my families. You always showed compassion and love to all and you touched our hearts. I will never forget you or your big teddy bear hugs. I know you are at home in Heaven with our Fath

I just want to share my condolences with the close relatives & friends of Father Coughlin, he was my Grandpa's brother & never knew him, but he was a part of my family & I thank him for all his time given to others.

It is with great sadness we offer our sincerest condolences to the extended Coughlin Family and wish to share these memories of a great friend. Fr. Coughlin was a holy and humble Catholic priest,who truly cared about his parish family. There will always

We pray that God take you home to Him after serving Him so faithfully. We will never forget your generosity and love. May all the blessings you shared with us here be intensified in Heaven.

One of my favorite Uncle Bud-isms was when we would be playing out in the yard, he would suddenly look down and say, "Well, what do we have here?," then he would pick a clover and say, "A four-leaf clover with only three leaves! That's the rarest kind!"

Today we have lost a great man. Not only was Father Coughlin our spiritual advisor, he was our role model, our mentor and most importantly our dearest friend. He was the most generous person we have ever met. Regardless of his busy schedule he would al

The last time I saw Father Coughlin was after a mass for my mother in the summer of 2007. She passed away in May 2007. He showed my two-year-old son his neat scooter and the fun bells and chimes it had. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the church I grew u

Father Bud, I will miss you very much as will the Golden Seniors Bowling League. I will always remember you not only as a bowling buddy, but as a friend. God Bless. Ed Dietz

Father Bud, I will miss you very much as will the Golden Seniors Bowling League. I will always remember you not only as a bowling buddy, but as a friend. God Bless.

Father Coughlin was very special and much loved. He was a frequent guest at my parents' house when my sisters and I were younger, and we had such a good time playing cards and board games. My husband, who did not believe in organized religion when we marr

We will remember Father "Bud" for his gentleness as we pray for the repose of his soul. Dcn George and Diane Tierney

Father we missed you, It's been 9yrs. since you baptized us, we're looking forward for our confirmation but you're now in our Lords hand. Condolences to his Family.

Our heartfelt condolences to his family, May he rest in peace.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Great Uncle Bud, we will miss you and you will always be in our hearts and prayers. Love Always Cathy

Uncle Bud was such a gentle, kind man who walked with a spirit of delight and kindness. He walked and sometimes spoke at a slightly slower pace, taking time to process and really notice everything around him, so that he could notice the '3-leaf 4-leaf c

On behalf of the Golden Seniors Bowling League, we offer our condolences and deepest sympathy to Father Coughlin's family. We will miss him very much

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Father Coughlin's family and at the same time thank them for sharing him with us. He was a truly wonderful "good shepherd" to the parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. He was a compassionate and loving leade

Uncle Bud I will miss you Billy

I will always remember Uncle Bud for his smily face pictures he always drew on all his cards and letters. He was always very soft spoken and he so loved playing his cards. I will truely miss him.

I have so many lovely memories of Uncle Bud! The card games, the laughs, the sweetness, the humility. I feel like our family his brother Jack's four kids and the other nieces and nephews he visited during those lovely summers, were part of his re-introd

We loved Father dearly. We will always remember him "tooling" across the parking lot on his motorized scooter wearing his stocking cap with the fuzzy ball on top. I'll also remember how he lovingly showed me the picture he carried of his siblings in his

Your God's mircle man, you had extremunction in the 9th grade, brought yourself back to build four churchs. Love always SIS

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.