John S. Coggins, 96, died at Pen Bay Medical Center on Jan. 29. He was born Feb. 17, 1917 in Jamaica Plain, Mass. to Kempton Coggins and Magda Marguerite von der Fehr Coggins. He spent most of his youth in Boston, Mass. and Brooklyn, N.Y., where his father was an engineer for the William Kellogg Engineering Company. John lost both of his parents at an early age, and while living with his grandmother in Brooklyn, attended Textile High School and New York University’s American Institute of Banking.
John was a WWII veteran. While stationed at the Fiske House in Damariscotta, he met Frances M. Hill. They were married in 1943. Staff Sergeant Coggins served in the European Theatre fighting in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland. He distinguished himself in battle for bravery earning a Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters, and the Purple Heart. He was gravely wounded in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest in Germany.
After the war, John and his family made their permanent home in Maine. John and Frances owned and operated Coggins Watch and Jewelry Repair in Damariscotta for many years. He was the first president of the newly formed Damariscotta Chamber of Commerce. He also worked for The Lincoln County News as advertising manager prior to his retirement.
John had a life-long love of athletics. As a young man, he played baseball for a New York City semi-pro league, and later coached Babe Ruth League baseball here in Maine. He golfed at the Wawenock Country Club where he was a member for 40 years. He was also a long-standing member of the CLC Recreation Center, where he played and taught tennis.
John loved Maine and the outdoors. He considered a tranquil local pond his “Walden Pond” after the chaos and upheaval of war. He and his family spent many happy hours fishing, boating and swimming there. In his later years, John became an avid hiker and bird-watcher.
He was predeceased by his wife, Frances in 1985; and sister, Phyllis in 1998.
He is survived by his long-time partner, Diana Rigg of Camden; sons, John and wife Janet of Higganum, Conn.; and Chris and wife Deirdre of Round Pond; daughters, Phyllis of New Harbor, and Maggie Stotz and husband John of Round Pond; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Sat., Feb. 15 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pemaquid Watershed Association, P.O. Box 552, 15 Courtyard St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.