Bruce Irving Coggins

Bruce I. Coggins, 71, a resident of Martha’s Vineyard, and formerly of Manchester, NH passed away very suddenly on February 4, 2014 in Nashua, NH. Born on October 18, 1942 in Manchester, he was the third son of the late A. Russell and Margaret (Martin) Coggins, formerly from Malden, MA.

Bruce attended public schools in Manchester, earned his Associates Degree from Wentworth Institute, and his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern. Bruce worked as an electrical engineer for New England Bell/Verizon for 36 years before retiring in 1998. An avid Amateur Radio Operator (K1ISJ), Bruce was an active hiker, having climbed Mt. Washington, a biker and sailor, too. He passed these passions on to others by teaching sailing with summer weekend cruises on his sailboat at Lake Winnipesaukee and conducting bike tours of Martha’s Vineyard.

Bruce is survived by his brother, Peter R. Coggins and his wife, Juanita (Wendy) (Rumson, NJ), his sister-in- law, Patti Coggins (Marblehead, MA) and his aunt, Eleanor B. Coggins (E. Hampton, MA). He is also survived by his cousins, Lois Ducharme (Leeds, MA), Glenn Coggins (Amherst, MA), and Benn Martin (Sierra Madre, CA); his nieces, Debbie (Dee) Wittig (Sarasota, FL), Robin Coggins (Rumson), Dr. Laurie Han (N. Easton, MA), and Janet Mansfield (Marblehead); his nephews, David N. Coggins (Spartanburg, SC) and Todd Coggins (Rumson, NJ); and a dear, family friend and care-giver, Virginia Karvelas from Nashua. Bruce was predeceased by his brother, David M. Coggins (Marblehead, MA).

A special “Celebration-of-Life” for Bruce is being held for family and close friends.