Middlesbrough: Rt Rev Monsignor Canon Kevin Coughlan RIP

The Diocese of Middlesbrough is sad to announce the death of The Right Reverend Monsignor Canon Kevin Coughlan RIP, a priest of the Diocese retired from active ministry who had served as Vicar General. Monsignor Kevin Coughlan died on the morning of Monday 14 October 2013.

Monsignor Coughlan was born in South Bank, Middlesbrough on 18 January 1929. He was one of five children born to Daniel and Mary Coughlan - Moira, Margaret, Gerard, James and Kevin. Together with his parents, Kevin is predeceased by brothers Jim and Gerard. As with his siblings, he received his early schooling at St Peter’s, South Bank. He began his pre-seminary training at Mount Melleray, Waterford, Ireland before progressing to All Hallows, Dublin to complete his formation. On the 21st June 1953, he was ordained for the Diocese of Middlesbrough in his home parish of St Peter’s, South Bank.

His priestly ministry began with a nine year curacy appointment in St Charles, Hull where to this day he is held in great affection. There followed a further curacy (1962-68) at Our Lady and St Peter, Bridlington before becoming Administrator of the Diocesan Rescue Society - and for the final two years of this work, he was Chaplain of St William’s School, Market Weighton.

From 1973 and for the following thirteen years, he was Parish Priest at St Theresa’s and then St Bede’s, Hull, during which time he was appointed Dean of the area and installed as a member of the Chapter of Canons in 1984. Monsignor Coughlan became the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, Hull in 1986 and six years later was moved to Middlesbrough as the first Diocesan Priest at the Holy Name, Linthorpe following the departure of the Marist Fathers. After seeing through this transition, he became Vicar General following the death of Monsignor Bill Carroll - simultaneously assuming the role of Parish Priest of St Clare’s, Brookfield where he remained in both posts until 1999. Monsignor Coughlan always had a fond attachment for the southern end of the Diocese, and so he spent the final twelve months of his formal active ministry in St Joseph’s, Hull - having been elected Provost of the Cathedral Chapter of Canons. Although formally retired from active ministry, he continued his fruitful priestly work in supporting his brother-priests in the south of the Diocese.

The Diocese would like to assure his surviving sisters, Moira and Margaret, his extended family and friends of prayerful sympathy at this time, and is mindful of the family’s generosity in giving a loyal and faithful servant for priestly ministry in the Diocese. Mention must also be made of Josie Leary who looked after Monsignor Coughlan for most of his ministry, especially for her care and fidelity in the twilight of his earthly life.

Monsignor Coughlan’s mortal remains will be received into St Charles Borromeo, Hull at 6.30pm on Monday 21 October and his Funeral Mass will be the following day, Tuesday 22 October at 12.10pm.