Joseph Coggans, Jr.

MILLBURY – Joseph F. Coggans Jr., 76, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, Jan. 22nd at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, after being stricken ill.

Joe leaves his wife of 20 years, Diana D. (Russell) Coggans; his daughter, Kim E. Coggans Lennon and her husband, Raymond of Leicester; his son, Joseph F. Coggans, III and his wife, Debra of Dudley; two step-sons, Robert Marlowe, Jr. and Ronald Marlowe both of Millbury; five grandchildren, Justin, Christopher and Benjamin Wunsch and Jacqueline and Haley Coggans.  He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Ann (Pignataro) Coggans and his surrogate son, Edmund L. Lindberg.

Joe worked for the Worcester Sheriff Department for 25 years, he retired in 2006 as a Lieutenant of the Special Services Division.  After retiring from the Special Services Division, Joe worked as a deputy for the Sheriff’s Civil Process Office.  Prior to working for the Sheriff’s department, Joe was a police officer for the Worcester Housing Authority and owned the former Moore’s Taxi Service in Millbury.  In the 1960’s Joe was a discjockey for WORC radio in Worcester.

Joe was a charter and life member, past president and served on the Board of Directors of the Millbury Lions Club.  Most recently he was co-chair of the clubs Carnival Committee. Joe received the Melvin Jones Fellowship and Joseph J. Camarda Awards from Lions Club International for his service to the community.  Joe served the Town of Millbury in various capacities for over 30 years, including the Board of Selectman and Board of Assessors.  Over the years Joe raised funds for numerous charitable organizations and in mid 1980s he was the top fundraiser nationally for Multiple Sclerosis.  He was also a charter member and past president of the Dorothy Pond Watershed Association.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joe’s life by gathering for a time of visitation on Friday, Jan. 25th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street in Millbury.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26th in St. Brigid Church, 59 N. Main Street in Millbury.  Burial will follow at Central Cemetery in Millbury.

Please omit flowers and memorial contributions in Joe’s name may be made to the Millbury Lions Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 385, Millbury, MA, 01527.