Michael Coughlin

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Michael Coughlin died on February 27, 2018, at BMC-North Adams. 

He attended school in North Adams and graduated from Drury High School in 1961. He attended Syracuse University and graduated from Castleton State College in 1966. After teaching school in Stamford, Vermont, for two years, he moved to Alaska and taught school in Juneau and Skagway, Alaska. While in Skagway, he owned and operated a restaurant and gift shop catering to the summer tourist trade.

He returned to school to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the University of Miami and then returned to Alaska to work for the State of Alaska in employee benefits and pensions. His work there involved legislation on benefit issues and negotiations with employee unions regarding health benefits. He retired in 1993 as the Deputy Director of the Division of retirement and Benefits of the State of Alaska. 

After retirement, Mr. Coughlin served two years as personnel director for the Catholic Community Services of Southeast Alaska before moving to Oregon. After moving to Oregon he became a Master Gardener and discovered gardening as a new hobby. He also began raising sheep, goats, and llamas for their fiber. While enjoying his new pursuits, he provided consulting services in employee benefits for private companies. 

Mr. Coughlin was always interested in the outdoors and spent much of his time hunting and fishing while in Alaska. He owned a number of fishing boats while he was there and was a private pilot, flying one plane from North Adams to Skagway, Alaska. In his many driving trips back and forth to Alaska during the summers, he crossed the country 14 times and visited every state. He was always ready for a new adventure. 

In 2002, he moved back to North Adams to marry Diana Davine, with whom he attended his senior prom at Drury High School.

Survivors include three children, Douglas Blair, Deana Adams, and Dawn Payton; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a brother, David Coughlin and his wife Arlene; sister in law, Adriene Davine; brother in laws, Michael Davine and Terry Davine; many nieces and nephews; and friends Judi and Barry Persofsky.

Funeral notice: At Michael’s request there will be no services. Donations may be made through North Adams Ambulance Service through the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montaga Home for Funerals, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.