William's strong faith sustained him through his life

Mr William Coogan, Knockfield, Rathvilly who passed away peacefully at Naas General Hospital on Monday 17 December, just two weeks short of his 82nd birthday, had farmed at Knockfield all his working life.

William had only been admitted to hospital on the Friday before his death. He had suffered a long illness, which he bore with great fortitude and patience. His strong faith, which sustained him throughout his life, was an important factor in his final days.

Son of William and Elizabeth (nee Lawler), he was one of ten children and is survived by seven siblings. William lived his life with one abiding interest - the land into which he was born and reared. The breeding and rearing of stock was his great interest and talent on the farm. In latter years, he established a dairy cattle herd. This on-farm development coincided with a decline in William's health and in 1998 he handed over the running of the farm to son Liam.

On 6 August 1968, William married Ita Fanning from Tullow in St Patrick's Church, Rathoe. They had a family of four sons. In 2004, William made a major decision. When his brother Patrick, who lived in Sydney, Australia, was diagnosed with a blood complaint, it was found that William was the only family member whose blood was compatible with that of his ailing brother. William had never been on an aeroplane in his life but, with the health of his sibling at stake, he made the journey to Australia, accompanied by his wife Ita and sister-in-law Rosemary O'Brien, Tullow. A stem cell medical procedure improved Pat's lifestyle considerably and he lived for a further two years and two months.

It was a source of great pride to William that he had been able to help out his brother at such a difficult time. Having attended Bigstone National School, William went on to play Gaelic football for the Bigstone club in Co. Wicklow. Because the Coogan family farm is located in Co Kildare, William always supported the fortunes of the Lilywhites in football. He played handball at the Bigstone ball alley, which he himself helped to construct, and he greatly enjoyed the game. William had a great love of nature and from his sick bed at home would watch the habits of the birds, noting the different things they did at certain times of the year. William was possessed of a great sense of humour and enjoyed a joke and a laugh.

He was a great family man who took immense pleasure in outings with his wife and sons. He made every visitor to the Coogan home feel welcome and at home. And no visitor would be let leave without a cup of tea. A life-long pioneer, William was holder of a gold medal from the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA).

He was waked at home before removal on Wednesday evening, 19 December, to St Joseph's Church, Baltinglass, where they were received by Fr Tom Dillon, PP. Fr Dillon celebrated William's funeral Mass on the Thursday.

Symbols of William's life brought forward at the start of Mass were: a handball presented by his granddaughter Ciara; a cap which William always wore, brought forward by granddaughter Katie; a mug representing his love of a chat and cup of tea, presented by granddaughter Lauren; a clay pigeon, brought up by granddaughter Nicole; and a miniature tractor and cow, representing William's love of farming, brought up by grandson and namesake William.
Readings were by his son Noel and sister-in-law Margaret Coogan. Prayers of the Faithful were read by his son Laurence, cousin Elizabeth Dempsey and Audrey Doyle, a niece. The Offertory gifts were brought forward by William's brother John and sister Mary Chapman.

Son Fergus, in a eulogy at the end of Mass, paid tribute to the qualities of his father's life. The singing of hymns at Mass was by the Baltinglass Parish Choir. After Mass, William was laid to rest in Baltinglass cemetery with sister Eileen, a Bridigine Sister who works in the parish, reciting the final prayers at the graveside.

William is survived by his wife Ita, sons Liam (Knockfield), Laurence (Ballyraggan, Rathvilly), Noel (Graney West, Baltinglass) and Fergus ((Knockfield), by brothers John (Birmingham, England), Laurence (Birmingham), Michael (Knockfield) and Anthony (Sydney), sisters Rosanna Clamp (Birmingham), Mary Chapman (Birmingham) and Lily Burke (Claremorris, Co Mayo), by his grandchildren Nicole, Lauren, William, Katie, Ciara and David, daughters-in-law Marie, Linda and Audrey, Noel's partner Janice, by nephews, nieces, other relatives, good neighbours and many friends.


Courtesy of The Carlow Nationalist. Tweet

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