Coughlan, Simon, 1925-1975, Capuchin priest

William Coughlan was born in Passage West in County Cork on 20 September 1925. He was received as a Capuchin Franciscan novice at Rochestown Friary in County Cork in October 1944. He was sent for philosophical studies to St. Bonaventure’s Friary in Cork and was solemnly professed as a Capuchin friar in October 1948. He subsequently travelled to Ard Mhuire Friary in County Donegal for his theological studies. He was ordained to the priesthood on 12 June 1952. Shortly afterward, he went to the United States. During his twenty-three years of ministry in America, he spent two years in Ukiah and a further two years in Bend, Oregon. He also served as assistant pastor for four years in Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fort Bragg in California. He subsequently served as Pastor and Superior for three years in St. Joseph’s Parish in Roseburg and seven years at Our Lady of Angels in Hermiston in Oregon. He suffered a heart attack and died in Hermiston on 29 September 1975. He was buried in the cemetery adjoining San Lorenzo Seminary, Santa Inés Mission, in California.

Baptismal name: William Coughlan
Religious name: Fr. Simon Coughlan OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 20 Sept. 1925
Place of birth: Passage West, County Cork
Name of father: John Coughlan
Name of mother: Anne Coughlan (née Hegarty)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 3 Oct. 1944 (Rochestown, County Cork)
Date of first profession: 4 Oct. 1945
Date of final profession: 4 Oct. 1948
Date of ordination (as priest): 12 June 1952
Educational attainments: BA (1948)
Missionary activities: Travelled to the United States mission in 1952
Date of death: 29 Sept. 1975
Place of death: Hermiston, Oregon, United States
Place of burial: Cemetery, San Lorenzo Seminary, Santa Inés Mission, California, United States