Obituary of Barry John Coughlin

COUGHLIN, Barry John - Barry passed away peacefully in London, Ontario on July 6, 2023 at the age of 81. Beloved husband of Tannis Coughlin, cherished father of Jane Coughlin, Jennifer Coughlin, Tannis Jarvis (Paul Lawson) and Taylor Jarvis (2000), and oh so proud grandpa to Hayden and Emily Craig, and Ivy and Ada Lawson. Dearly missed by his brother George Coughlin (Eleanor), sister Elizabeth Storey (Ken), and their children and families as well as cousins Dianne and Carol. Missed by friends from across the years, as well as staff and friends at McGarrell Place, where he was provided excellent care under Dr. Lo and the team on Kingsmill Court. After a successful career in both business and education in his early years, Barry attended law school at the University of Western Ontario in 1975 and held a long and impactful career as a federal prosecutor and private practice lawyer in London, Ontario; a career that he truly loved and had great passion for. Not only passionate about the law, Barry had a love for football, where he played at UWO, and organized the London Beefeaters of the Canadian Junior Football League in 1975. His enthusiasm for sport across his life also included skiing, sailing, and golf. Some of Barry's favourite places to be included; White Bear Island in Temagami where he grew up as a camper and later cottaged with his family. His basement "hangar" where he built impressive radio controlled model airplanes to be flown on many a family "fly day" in Arva Park. And floats in the pool with Tannis, his wife and best friend. He loved BBQ'ing, gardening, watching the weather and a cold Heineken. He cherished time with his kids and grandkids. Barry was humble, he listened before speaking and always gave you his time and attention. He loved to have fun and had a great sense of humour. He was an intellectual who loved reading and also building things with his hands. He was strong, steady and a calming influence. Barry was an active member of the Resident’s Council of McGarrell Place LTC. Above all else Barry had a beautiful heart. He loved his wife deeply, was ever proud and supportive of his children, and was absolutely delighted by his grandchildren. We are all so lucky to have had Barry as part of our lives. He will be forever missed and never forgotten. A private family interment will occur at a later date. An expression of sympathy, a fond memory may be made at Mount Pleasant Cemetery (London) Inc. www.mpcemetery.ca and a donation in memory may be made to McGarrell Place Family Council mcgarrellfc@gmail.com or Stevenson Children’s Camp, 5081 Gore Road, Dorchester, Ontario N0L 1G4.