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Dr. Francis R. Coughlin, Jr. MD, JD, 86, Of New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, Conn. - Dr. Francis R. Coughlin was of New Canaan died Feb. 21. He was 86.

Dr. Coughlin was born Feb. 22, 1927. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the Merchant Marines. He graduated from Fordham College and Yale Medical School and was the first thoracic surgeon in Stamford. He interned at McGill Med School in Montreal, Canada and was a resident at the Overhold Clinic in Brookline, Mass. As a pioneer in thoracic surgery, he practiced cardiovascular surgery in Stamford for 28 years and was chief of surgery for both Stamford Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as chief of Medical Staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital and on the Board of Directors.

He was the president of the Tuberculosis and Health Association in Stamford, president of Red Cross in New Canaan, member of the Ethics Committee at Stamford Hospital and a member of Stamford VNA for many years. He was a member of the Stamford Yacht Club. At 58 years old, he began law school and received his degree from Quinnipiac College School of Law when he was 62 and earned his JD, practicing as a legal medical consultant. He lived in New Canaan in later years and was active in town and community affairs. He was also chair of the Yale Medical School Alumnae Association in recent years. He was a member of DOCA for many years.

Dr. Coughlin is survived by his wife, Barbara Blunt Coughlin; daughters, Hilary Loftus, Mary Jackson, Patty Papale and Belle Coughlin; sons, Christopher Coughlin, Geoffrey Coughlin, Daniel Coughlin and David Coughlin; and 12 grandchildren.

Calling hours are Monday, Feb. 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hoyt Funeral Home,199 Main St., New Canaan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 at St. Matthews Church, Scribner Ave., Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Coughlin’s name to Stamford Hospital, 30 Shelburne Road, Stamford, CT 06904 or Sisters of St. Joseph at 27 Park St., West Hartford.

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