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OBITUARY: Fr. Leo Coughlin

Leo Coughlin

Fr. Leo Coughlin

Fr. Leo Coughlin began his final journey to the presence of the God he so faithfully served, on Monday January 23, 2017. He died “not with a bang but with a whimper”. His last breath was as gentle as his spirit. Born on Spy Wednesday, March 23rd in Houghton-Le Spring, County Durham, UK to Ambrose and Anne Coughlin, Leo was Baptized in St Michael’s Church on Easter Sunday, a sacrament he celebrated every year on Easter day. This gentle giant came into the world fighting for life. He continued that fight, until moments before he died, while enduring many strokes –related infirmities, indignities and humiliations during the past two years.

Leo was educated at the Jesuit Grammar School in Sunderland where he distinguished himself as a brilliant student in both Academics and the Arts. He was awarded a full scholarship to Oxford and Cambridge Universities but chose instead the Seminary at Ushaw College in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Again he distinguished himself in many areas of seminary life, in particular as lead Cantor in both Tenor and Bass for Liturgical celebrations. His gifted voice brought him to the stage, each year playing the lead roles in Gilbert & Sullivan Musicals. His seminary days were also marked with challenges and clashes with the ecclesial authorities, something that would repeat itself often during his priestly life.

Frequently critical of the Institution, Leo loved his Catholic faith, and reverenced “the riches of its treasury” all his days.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on July 15, 1956. Since then he served in 12 parishes. In UK he ministered at All Saints in Thropton, Northumberland, St. Mary’s in Sunderland, Sacred Heart and St. Cuthbert in Amble, St. Aloysius in Hebburn, Holy Rosary in Horsley Hill and St. James in Hebburn.

In 1991 after ministering in his home diocese for 35 years, Fr Leo felt called to explore ministry in other vineyards. His preference was to be a “Worker Priest” in France, a growing movement at that time. His Bishop suggested a less radical option! At the invitation of Bishop John D’Arcy, Diocese of Fort Wayne, South Bend Leo came to USA, on loan, for two years. He was Associate Pastor at St. Mary’s in Decatur Indiana, while also serving as Chaplain at Bishop Dwenger as High School Fort Wayne, before taking a sabbatical in Notre Dame. His desire to work in Team Ministry, led him to Christ the King in Las Vegas in 1993 where he served until 2001; then as Administrator to St. John the Evangelist at Overton / Logandale. There, at 70 years old, he learned Spanish, and fulfilled the dream of parishioners to build their own Church.

On retiring 2008 he assisted at St. Joseph Husband of Mary and Holy Spirit Catholic Churches. During those years he also served as Chaplain to the St. Rose Dominican hospitals until his illness in 2015. His service, availability and care for the sick were hallmarks of his ministry. His love of The Word of God in Scripture was his life’s passion. He loved to quote from the French Diary of a Country Priest: “God will ask His Priests what have you done with my Word”. He honored that question all his days.

Fr Leo served his people with honesty and integrity, humility and kindness. He knew his calling was to continue the mission of Jesus: “to bring good news to the poor, liberty to captives, set the downtrodden free. . . “. Among his last words were “I think I set people free”. His favorite ways of describing his ministry was “peoplehood”. The tributes pouring in from parishioners and friends from all sectors of society in UK and USA are testimony to the prophetic and courageous, kind and humble priest that Fr. Leo was. It was not surprising that he died in the middle of the International week of Prayer for Christian Unity. His friendships and relationships with people of all faiths were central to his ministry. In 2006 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination, the LDS Bishop of Logandale paid this tribute: “Leo is building a Church here for his people, but he is doing much more important work, he is building bridges between our peoples and our faiths”.

Fr. Leo was a Renaissance man. An artist, musician and writer himself, his love of art, music, literature, scholarship, science, and Religion were expansive. He loved to travel, enjoyed learning other languages, cultures, culinary diversities, religions and traditions. His world view was global. Weeks before he died he talked of learning Japanese. His ministry and his friends crossed all boundaries of race, creed, sexual orientation, financial position or social standing. He saw only the human being, and respected that dignity in each person. His honesty and integrity influenced the disaffected, inspired the seeker, and restored faith for disillusioned youth.

Fr. Leo is mourned by his brother Kevin; nieces Paula (Jim Argo and Jane (Noel) Smith; nephew John (Petra) Coughlin; great nieces Marie, Rachel, Roisin; great nephew Alastair, his longtime friend of 60 years, Dr. Roisin O’Loughlin; the entire O’Loughlin family, and a large circle of friends in UK, Ireland and USA. May his gentle soul and his soaring spirit find peace and joy in The Eternal Presence.

Funeral Services are planned for Tuesday January 31st at Christ The King Catholic Church on Tropicana and Torrey Pines.

Viewing 2.p.m. – 4.p.m.  Funeral Mass at 4.30 p.m.   Reception following in Parish Hall.

Family flowers only. Donations if desired to Catholic Worker; Catholic Charities, Stillpoint: Center for Spiritual Development.

Family and friends can sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com.

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10 thoughts on “OBITUARY: Fr. Leo Coughlin”

  1. I only spoke to Fr Leo Coughlin once by telephone, in 1991, but have never forgotten him. I remember his direct honesty, and the burning wish in him to serve the people God gave him to care for. His integrity was special. Thank you Father, for your life of service to God’s children. possibly a man born before his time, .

  2. Marie Teresa Temperley

    I knew Fr Leo at Thropton when as a newly ordained priest he used to visit us .He gave me his ordination card which I still have to this day . I was privileged to accompaniy him to all the surrounding parishes for Masses and Benediction. Several years later in 1967 Fr Leo
    officiated at my wedding in Gosforth Newcastle on Tyne .I can still remember to this day the songs he sang to entertain us as young children .Thank you Fr Leo for all the love and joy you brought into our lives . You were an inspiration!
    May you rest in the peace, joy and love, of the Lord you so faithfully served..
    Marie Temperley nee Murray .

  3. My memory of Leo was when he met the Beatles in 1963 as part of his pastoral duties to Sunderland Empire Theatre where they were appearing. He bantered with the group and they with him and John Lennon snatched his hat but eventually gave it back to him. He identified two of the band as Catholics and felt they were anything but lost souls and the encounter is recorded in contemporary histories of the band. Typical of Father Leo that he would have such adventures

  4. I am privileged to be the “LDS Bishop of Logandale” cited in Fr. Coughlin’s obituary. My wife and I are now serving as humanitarian missionaries in South Africa where I am seeking to emulate Leo’s tireless work among the poor. I shall be forever grateful to have been able to work alongside this great and humble servant of God who’s enduring concern was for the poorest among God”s children. I came to relish the theological discussions and differences which we shared, together, always with candor and respect. I look forward with great assurance to seeing my friend Fr. Leo again.

  5. One of my dearest friends for 25 years.. You were an older brother, a best friend and a priest all in one. I thank the Lord for the knowing of you and that my baptism was done by you my friend! May God enjoy your company, and until we meet again, i will keep my faith in Christ burning ever so bright..

  6. Father Leo had a great sense of humor. I remember his story when he was a young priest in England. He was assigned to the West Side theater district.. He entered backstage into the dressing rooms of the dancers. They were changing their costumes in front of him when one of the young ladies said to him, “This is a ballet. not a strip club.” At that he exited. … I loved Father Leo … he was the best!!!

  7. I miss you so much FATHER I know you have everyone in heaven smiling I always think of you I love you soooooo much and dont forget to relax Roisin and I are ok just as you prayed so blessed to have had a bestfriend in you rest well

  8. I knew Father Leo when he was in `south Shields. I am not catholic but he attended my daughters christening, an unusual event 42 years ago.
    He came to visit us when we lived in Whitburn co, durham.
    How we loved that man.
    I am devastated
    RIP Leo you were a man in a million\xxxxx ,

  9. Just came across this obituary. I knew Leo well and shared many a post-mass breakfast with him – and an occasional whiskey – as we put together the parish bulletin during his stay at St James in Hebburn, Tyneside, UK. He introduced me to Shusaku Endo the Japanese novelist. I began reading Scandal by Endo today and thought about Leo and decided to Google him. I’m saddened at his death. He was a good friend and I have fond memories of him.

  10. Father Leo was my favorite priest at Christ The King as a child. He was always so genial, kind, warm and easy to talk to. I was constantly moved by his sermons and loved how he explained the Word.
    I am heartly sorry to read of his passing. He was an amazing man and, in my humble opinion, more than earned his place with the Lord.
    Thank you Father Leo for your service and your generosity of spirit. May you rest well in eternal glory.

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