36. Charles Eugene4 Coogan (James Joseph3, James Joseph2, Owen [Charles]1) was born Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 31 DEC 1896. Charles died 17 FEB 1998 Hobbs, Lea, NM, at 101 years of age. His body was interred 21 FEB 1998 Hobbs, Lea, NM, Prairie Haven Cemetery.
He married Mabel Martha Theurer Watertown, Middlesex, MA, 28 MAY 1932. Mabel was born 06 MAY 1904. Mabel died 24 DEC 1987 Hobbs, Lea, NM, at 83 years of age. Her body was interred DEC 1987 Hobbs, Lea, NM, Prairie Haven Cemetery.
He was born on Glen Road. Robbie Coogan had an interesting story about Charlie's middle name: "Our parents were going to name him after our great grandfather, Owen. Someone [Mary Gately?] said that Owen was 'too Irish.' So his middle name was Eugene - the same name, but the English version."
He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1900, 25 Hulbert Street. He appears in the 1900 US Census.
He was a student Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, 1902-1910. School: Lewis Elementary School. His granddaughter, Kathy Moran, found a 'diploma' from Charlie's time at the Lewis School.
He was a student Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, 1910-1912. School: Saint Joseph's School. Charlie attended the parish school until his father was put out of work by an illness (Bright's Disease). Charlie remembered: "When my father [got sick], I had to get out and contribute to the family - so I couldn't go to school. It was quite a time, there was no other way - we were all working."
He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1910. He appears in the 1910 US Census.
Charles's occupation: Clerk Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, 1912-1917. He worked for the Henry H. Tuttle Shoe Company (159 Tremont Street). Charlie remembered that he worked as a stock boy, running errands for $3.00 a week. Later, he was able to make as much as $15-20 a week. He appears in the 1915 Boston City Directory.
He resided Dorchester, Suffolk, MA 1914. *
He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1915, 108 Maywood Street. He appears in the 1915 Boston City Directory.
He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1915-1926, 113 Bower Street. He appears in the 1920 US Census. He appears in the 1920 and 1925 Boston City Directories.
Charles served in the military SEP 1917-JAN 1919. He served as an enlisted sailor in the US Navy (Reserve). He was a veteran of World War I. Charlie reported that he was assigned to a confiscated German luxury liner named America. The ship's main port was Charlestown, MA (at the Navy Yard). America made nine round trips between the U.S. and Breast, France - carrying 55,000 troops. On one port call, the ship was docked in Hoboken, NJ for coal refueling. Mysteriously, America capsized at the pier. Charlie was lucky enough to escape. Note: He appears in the 1920 Boston City Directory as still being in the Navy.
Charles's occupation: Shipfitter's Helper 1919-1921. Charlie worked at the Squantum shipyards. He injured his knee on two occasions, causing him to miss about a year of work.
Charles's occupation: Credit Reporter Boston, Suffolk, MA, 1921-1924. He worked for New England Credit Company.
Irene Golden (his sister) said that Charlie was like a father to his brothers and sisters. "He always gave us the best places to sleep - for a while he was sleeping out on the porch because we didn't have enough beds. He always made sure that we didn't get into trouble."
Charles's occupation: Credit Reporter Boston, Suffolk, MA, 1924-1926. He worked for Commercial Credit Company. He appears in the 1925 Boston City Directory.
Charlie recalled his courtship of his future wife, Mabel: "I met her when I was visiting a guy I knew from the America - she lived in the same town. We first were introduced at a dance."
Charles's occupation: Field Representative Boston, Suffolk, MA, 1926-1942. He worked for the General Motors Acceptance Corporation. Charlie explained: "As World War II started, GM began to produce mechanized armor units. Car sales declined, so 25 of my co-workers were laid off. I soon followed them to their fate." He appears in the 1942 Boston City Directory. He appears in the World War II Draft Registration rolls (26 APR 1942).
He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1927-1932, 133 Thornton Street. *
During the Great Depression, Charlie was well known his charitable nature. The December 31st, 1981 edition of the Hobbs Flare described this: "[He] would often take coal from their own cellar and give it to people out of work who had none. He was an almost nightly visitor to the Boston Market where the fruit and vegetable left over at the end of the day were marked down, he would buy them and distribute them to families whom he knew were out of work and either out of food or subsisting on inadequate diets.
Charlie and Mabel were married at Saint Patrick's Church. He said that he felt guilty for 'slacking off' that day - as the Great Depression was at its height.
He resided Watertown, Middlesex, MA 1932-1940, Theurer Park. He appears in the 1940 US Census.
He resided in Newton, Middlesex, MA 24 Freeman Street. Charlie's daughter, Bonnie Moran, remembered that the family moved to Newton after 1940 and lived at 24 Freeman Street.
He resided in Auburndale, Middlesex, MA 1942-SEP 1962, 24 Freeman Street. He appears in the 1942 Boston City Directory. He appears in the World War II Draft Registration rolls (26 APR 1942).
Charles's occupation: Billing Clerk Hingham, Plymouth, MA, 1943. Charlie's cousin, Frank Mahoney, got him a job at the Quincy Ship Building Company. Charlie said they were building a kind of ship called a 'destroyer escort.'
Charles's occupation: Payroll Clerk Boston, Suffolk, MA, 1943-1950. Charlie worked for Raytheon Manufacturing. He told of how one of his buddies from Commercial Credit referred him for the job. At first, Charlie was a timekeeper, but he later was trained as an engineer's assistant.
Charles's occupation: Cab Driver Newton, MA, 1950-1962. He worked with his brother in law as the 'shopper's cab' at the new shopping center at Chestnut Hill.
Charles's occupation: Clerk Boston, Suffolk, MA, 1950-1962. Charlie said he "closed down" the Filene's Department Store.
His obituary said that he was a member of American Legion Post Number 48 in Newton, MA.
James Coogan [IV] said that Charlie often hosted parties at his home. "Everyone would be there - the Rileys, Mahoneys, and Cartys. The house was always crammed full! After dinner, the whole family would sing - with my mother [Virginia Coogan] playing the piano and Charlie leading the tune."
Charles traveled SEP 1962-NOV 1962. After selling their home, Charlie and Mabel traveled to visit their daughters in New Mexico and Arizona. Their intention had been to move to Glendale, AZ - but they changed their minds. Charlie said that they were convinced to live in Hobbs, NM by a 'tap on the shoulder from a Superior Power.'
He resided Hobbs, Lea, NM NOV 1962-FEB 1998. He lived in the Jefferson House Apartment Complex until an illness in 1995. After that time, he resided with his daughter, Bonnie.
Charles's occupation: Courier Hobbs, Lea, NM, DEC 1962-31 DEC 1994. He had no intention of working when he first arrived in Hobbs. But "loafing" never suited him. Charlie described how he went back to work: "Bob Moran said that I was working too hard in my garden. So I ended up being his employee, instead of sitting around reading the paper and watching TV." He did various clerical jobs for his son-in-law (mostly at Moranco). The Hobbs Flare (31 DEC 1981) stated that Charlie was working as a courier for Moranco and W. A. Jordan.
On his 85th birthday, the Hobbs Flare described Charlie as "one of Hobb's finest and best liked citizens" and "a fine old gentleman [who] is extremely active, working everyday and is a living example of the theory that one of his caliber may 'wear out from use but never rust out from inactivity." Perhaps most descriptive of Charlie, the paper continued: "[He] has a name of being one of the best natured men anyone has met, of being a very good husband and father, whose main characteristics are faithfulness and consideration of others." The paper also quoted his daughter, Bonnie: "He has never met a stranger, he is a perfect gentleman, and the epitome of kindness and goodness."
Charlie and Mabel celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1982. Many visitors came to the Mass of Thanksgiving held at St. Helena's Catholic Church.
Charles traveled MAY 1986. Charlie and Mabel celebrated her 82nd birthday in style - in Ireland. Kathy Moran said that he was very excited to have the chance to tour the island with a personal guide. Their daughter, Bonnie, also traveled with them. After seeing many sights in the Emerald Isle, the trip then proceded to Paris, France, where Charlie was again overwhelmed by the sights.
Hundreds of relatives and friends celebrated Charlie's birthday in Hobbs. On the 28th of December, a gathering over over 300 people attended a reception given in his honor. A pianist played melodies of Irish tunes while each of the guest paid their respects (in person) to Charlie. Three days later, his 100th Birthday party was attended by around 100 guests. After a delicious dinner, his 10 grand-children each brought him a cake with 10 candles - and the crowd happily sang "Happy Birthday" for him each time! Many well wishers followed with toasts to Charlie's health. The party ended with everyone welcoming the new year.
Charlie had a remarkable mind. During his last trip East (at age 95!), he was experiencing chest pains. Even though he had just arrived in Boston that day - and was presumeably having a heart attack - he kept telling the cab driver what streets to take to make sure they took the shortest route to the hospital! He still knew all the street names!
He died at the Columbia Lea Regional Medical Center.
His funeral was held Hobbs, Lea, NM, 21 FEB 1998. The service was held at 9:00 AM at Saint Helena Catholic Church. Rev. Jose Reyes was the officiating priest.
Charles Eugene Coogan and Mabel Martha Theurer had the following children:
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