Obituary of Eugene J. Coghlan

Eugene "Gene" J. Coghlan was called to Heaven in the early morning hours of Monday, February 4, 2013. Gene passed away unexpectedly at Reston Hospital from complications of a pneumonia. Gene was born on October 18, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY. He later moved to Maryland before settling in Sterling, VA. Gene proudly served 8 years in the United States Air Force and through his love of airplanes, spent his professional life working for Pan-Am and then the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority for many years. He retired in 2005 and spent much of his retirement taking care of his grandchildren, whom he loved so much. Gene loved the beach, as we spent many summer weekends walking the boardwalks and eating Grotto's pizza in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Myrtle Beach was another favorite of Gene's, where he loved to go fishing and for rides on the Sea Thunder. Gene's other hobbies included reading, old trucks/cars, watching his Washington Nationals and Redskins, telling stories, going to the movies, and most of all, spending time with family and playing with his grandchildren and dog, Sadie. Gene was the most honest, kind, trustworthy, caring and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He loved life and could often be seen wearing his "Life is good" t-shirts and hats. Gene is survived by his wife, Joanne and his daughters, Victoria Coghlan and Shannon Longendyke, his son-in-law, Scott Longendyke and his four grandchildren, Christopher Coghlan, and Sienna, Hudson and Noah Longendyke.