Ford Coughlin

Of Our Father, Grandfather, and Friend

Ford Coughlin

( Nee: David Lovatt Caughlin )

Nov 18, 1925 – Aug 9, 2016

Bithplace : Agassiz, B.C.

Born to Bud and Carol Caughlin ( predeceased )

Known to his Family and Friends endearingly, as Popeye, Poppy or Uncle Fud

Ford lived his life to the fullest, with a strong heart, strong will, and determined to be the best he could be, he worked extraordinarily hard. As a Father he was always there for us, encouraging, and pushing us to achieve more, be stronger, and reach for our Dreams.

Ford was dedicated and loved his family and friends; and will be remembered for his awesome sense of humour, his compassionate, tender, gentle heart, his funny faces,

And always being such a Gentleman.

Memories from Ford’s Daughters

Our Dad was a real character, who loved making us laugh, he was brave, strong, courageous, proud, loving, compassionate, protective, and had an inner strength that was amazing.

We remember him as such a nut around home, singing dirty ditties about Mom, calling us all silly names like Dirty Mirt or Gertrude, or even the times he would tell us stories about how the Easter Bunny was no more, or that he had taken Santa out, because of all the clatter on the roof.

But the most amazing was the dancing, it was truly inspiring for us girls, he and Mom seemed to float in unison, not a sound other than the music, it was truly breath taking to watch them. I think we all grew up wanting a man to dance with us like that.

To have that special bond, that he and Mom shared.

There was a common saying around our house, when ‘ Where’s Dad ? ‘ was asked, and the reply came back ‘ Fixing his radio ‘ we would all laugh.

In as much as Dad wanted, and thought, he could fix something around the house, and go off to the basement, to fix it, singing or whistling,

within a short while, the singing or whistling would turn to cussing, and lots of banging and thumping, then up out of the basement he would come, whistling or singing again, and off he went to buy a new, whatever, he had just demolished.

We also remember how proud we were to attend the Truck Rodeos, Dad was amazing!

He had huge trucker muscles, we endearingly nicknamed him ‘ Popeye ‘

He could even do the Popeye laugh to perfection; he would do it as he flexed his muscles, and make us giggle.

The things he would do to Mom, especially the time he hoisted Mom’s dress up around her neck, while she was washing her hair in the sink, and he ran away laughing his head off, as Mom yelled “Ford! Ford! Ford!”

Dad would take out his top denture and chase us, on all fours, growling, we would run away screaming, we think to this day, it is why we all hate being chased, but loved his attention and craziness.

Dad’s most favourite trick to play on us, was when we were heading off to school, and he would call us back and say ‘Where would you be right now if I hadn’t called you back?‘ Just to get a rise out of us, and believe us he did, and then he would laugh like crazy, while we rushed off to school, and were now running late.

We were a family blessed with so many treasured Family members and Family Friends.

It was a house full of Love, and Fun

(And if Dad had anything to say about it, Good Friends and Good Whiskey.)

The love between our parents was so precious, and awe inspiring. Never a harsh word from Dad to Her, he always showed the highest respect for Mom, and honoured her. When special occasions came along, he would by the most amazing cards,

We are sure he spent hours , picking the right card, that said all that was in his heart.

It was a love , we have all tried so hard to find,

so rare and true.

Unfortunately, after the passing of our Mom, Nona Lou (Hayes) Coughlin,

Our family dynamic changed, most especially for Dad, who was so lost, and never quite regained his same passion for life, family or old friends.

Mom truly was his Soul Mate.

Dad suffered the loss, of yet two more wives, Doreen Coughlin, and Kay McMillan

But he still somehow, showed immense strength and will to live, and fought long and hard, as was his nature, to the very end.

We were so blessed to have him in our lives, we will miss him, every day, but we take solace, that he is no longer in pain, and is at peace, with Mom, at his side again.

Personal Tributes from Ford’s Daughters

Debra Eileen ( Coughlin/Minch ) Spiers :

As much as I miss you dearly, I take comfort knowing you are at peace, and were surrounded by loving arms, when you left this life. Hard to put into so few words, all that I feel, as you were so much more a real presence in my life, and it’s so hard to let go. You were such a character, so brave, strong, proud and loving.

I was blessed to have you as my Dad, to look up to and to love !!!

Love Debbie

Sheryl Lee ( Coughlin ) Flaten :

Finally at peace Dad, with our Mom, your Soul Mate. You were never the same after that loss. Love you deeply my Pops! You fought long and hard these past few years.

Your suffering is over now.

Love you so much,

Sheri

Carolyn Patricia ( Coughlin/Beaulieu ) Aken

I will remember you as a strong, loving Father that was always there for me, and had the right thing to say, to motivate me into making the right choices, or give me a kick in the Butt when I needed it most. I will remember sitting on your lap, even as a teenager, while you consoled my broken heart. I will carry you with me, within my heart, wherever life takes me Dad, and I will try to be the best person I can, and make you proud.

I love you, with my heart and soul!

‘You’re still my Hero.‘

Carolyn

A very special, heartfelt, thank you my sisters,Debbie and Sheri,

for being there for Dad, these last several years,

I know Dad was so thankful for you both, as am I

I love you, so very much !

Carolyn

A special thank you, to our baby sister Sheri, for taking care of all the duties and stress,

that came with being Dad’s Power of Attorney, before and after Dad’s passing.

And to Clint and his girlfriend Karen, for being there to help her.

We are so sorry, so much fell on your shoulders

Dad was so very blessed, as are we, your Loving Family

Memories from Ford’s Grandchildren

Ford’s grandchildren remember Poppy and his Funny Faces, especially with his teeth out,

and how much he loved to tease. He was always thrilled to see his grandchildren

Except when descended on, all at once LOL

He loved every one of them, with all his heart.

Each one, had a unique and special relationship, with their Poppy,

And his pride always showed in his eyes, when they walked into the room.

When first born grandson Jake came along, he was just a wee little man, when he tried to say Popeye, it came out Poppy, and thus Ford, became Poppy to his grandchildren.

Personal Tributes from Ford’s Grandchildren

Jacob Ford Minch ( Jake ):

I remember Poppy teaching us a lot of stuff … Especially swear words. Eric and I would watch him working on his truck and smashing his finger.

Bam, new swear words.

I remember walking from their house on Como Lake to go fishing.

Poppy taught us how to cast from shore, then when the line got tangled in the nearby bush…….More new swear words.

Fishing on the boat , down at Point Roberts,

Boat won’t start? More swear words.

But the thing I remember most, is how much he loved our Nan ( Nona )

Love Jake

Eric Jay Minch:

I will always remember Poppy’s sense of humour.

There was one particular time, when I was sick, with some kind of fever, at Nan and Poppy’s house. Nan was taking care of me that day, and as she was removing a thermometer, from my mouth, Poppy strolled into the room, and matter-of-factly said to me,

“Y’know that thermometer was in my bum earlier.”

I, of course, responded as any reasonable child would, by shrieking and wailing, inconsolably. As Nan scolded Poppy, he sauntered cheerfully out of the room, while cackling with delight at the extra headache; he had just created with a simple, well timed statement.

That Norman Rockwell moment,

was a perfect example, of Poppy’s indomitable sense of humour.

Love you Poppy

Chantel Renee (Beaulieu) Mathews:

I think my most memorable memory of Poppy, will always be, the look on his face, when I walked into his hospital room earlier this year, with my newborn son, Lincoln.

His eyes reflected nothing but love and awe !

Love and miss you Poppy

Gregory David Beaulieu:

Most of my memories are from an older age, as we lived so far away, and I only got to see him, once a year. But I will remember time spent together, enjoying a whiskey or two,

and watching Poppy with my sons, Loki, and Brody,

his Great grandsons, and sharing in his pride.

Love and miss you Poppy

Erica Beryl Flaten:

Poppy, was like Popeye the Sailor, because of his overall appearance. Poppy was as strong on the outside, as he was on the inside, and he stayed strong until the end. Poppy has left this world, but will be in the hearts and souls of all who loved him.

Love Erica

Clint John Flaten:

I will always remember Poppy’s Funny side, like when I spent the weekend with Poppy and Gramma Doreen, I was 4 going on 5 yrs old, and Poppy kept putting his shoes under my bed, because he knew it bugged me, when I would say ‘ Who’s shoes are under my bed ?’ Poppy would go away laughing, then he put Gramma Doreen’s shoes under my bed, and blamed her, he loved my reaction, he thought it was hilarious.

I loved Poppy’s strength; he was an inspiration to me.

Without him, I wouldn’t have two great aunts and

My Mom,

Who I would never have survived without.

I will miss watching wrestling together Poppy

You will always be my Hero

Love Clint

A special note from Ford’s Son's-In-Law,

Stan Spiers

He was so well loved

He was the only Dad I had for a very long time

I Loved the ol' bugger

Stan

Eric John Flaten,

Uncle Fud, My friend, I will miss you

And last but never least,

A special note on behalf of Uncle Lou Pate & Family,

Ford’s very best friend,

we love you all soooo much

Barbara Pate Schwandt:

I think your parents were the best friends my parents ever had.

We as a family will always think of you as a part of our family,

and wish we could see you all more often.

Uncle Fud was such a lovely man, and I personally will never forget him.

XOXO

Barb

Debbie, Carolyn, and Sheri, would like to take a moment to thank all our Family and Friends

for all their love and support. We couldn’t get through this without you.

You have all helped us push our deep sorrow aside,

And let the Sunshine back into our hearts,

with such precious memories

of a loving, funny man.

A heartfelt thank you,

to Nicole Webb

of Fraser Heights Memorial,

Thank You for your kindness, and assistance to our baby sis, Sheri

who was left with so much on her shoulders.

Sheri has told us, of the beautiful, kind and helpful person you are

and she couldn’t imagine going through all this without you.

To quote Sheri,

“Nicole, treated us like we were all precious souls, and with such dignity,

Finally, someone, that understood, that our Father matters”

Thank you All

God Bless You

The Coughlin Clan