Alfred (Al) James Coggins, 92, of Daytona Beach, Florida, passed away on November 7, 2024.
Alfred was born in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, on October 26, 1932, to Patrick Joseph Coggins and Annie Theresa Coggins, both immigrants from Ireland. He was the sixth child born to Patrick and Annie, and had seven siblings, all of whom preceded him in death, with the exception of his younger brother, James Coggins, of Orlando, Florida.
After graduating high school in Jamaica Plain, Alfred joined the United States Marine Corps, and served in the Korean conflict. After earning an honorable discharge, Alfred returned to Massachusetts, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Boston University. After graduation from college, Alfred joined the U.S. Peace Corps and served for two years in the country of Peru, where he met his first wife, Elsie. Although Alfred and Elsie entered into marriage in 1965 with the best of intentions, it was less permanent than they had hoped.
Early in life, Alfred's business interests turned towards working in major industry. Alfred worked in the airline industry for several years, until accepting a position as a sales person for the 3M Corporation, where he worked for several more years, before accepting a position with another major company, Bell & Howell. Later, he decided to pursue his greatest passion - becoming a professional golf club maker. Alfred owned his own business - The Golf Shop - in Quincy, Massachusetts, for most of his career and, during those years, made many, many close and dear friends out of fellow golfers and anyone he met, having a similar passion for the game. When business was no longer viable, Alfred accepted a position in retail sales, for a major national retailer. In 2007, Alfred met and married the next great love of his life, Lorene Purcell, of Amarillo, Texas. Alfred worked in retail sales up until his retirement, in 2018.
Alfred is survived by his son, Patrick Coggins, of Granbury, Texas, his brother James Coggins, two grandchildren, Patrick Coggins, Jr., of Houston, Texas, Carlee Coggins, of Bowie, Texas, and two great grandchildren, Taylor and Justin Coggins.
Memorial services and interment will be held December 14, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Memorial service: December 14, 2024 at 11:00am
St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church
2078 Centre Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132
Interment : St. Joseph Cemetery
990 Lagrange Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132