Martin Coughlan

On September 11, 2001 **Martin John Coughlan**, 54, of County Tipperary, Ireland, a carpenter, died. He was just one of the 2,996 victims of the coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States. Below are some of the articles written about this father of four daughters, Orla, Ailish, Sinead and Denise, and beloved husband of Catherine Coughlan.

"**The Carpenter From Cappawhite**

He was born in the shade of the Galtees,

From the village of Cappawhite he did hail,

But after September the eleventh,

No more would he return to his Golden vale.

He died on top of the world,

With his hammer in his hand,

And he broke the hearts of so many

Back home in his native land.

So goodbye Martin John Coughlan,

With that smile all loving and true,

Sleep now with the angles in heaven,

Goodbye my friend, and god bless you.

***anonymous (Friend) 09 Oct 2002 Age: 53 Occupation: Carpenter Worked for: Originally from: Cappawhite, Co Tipperary Resided in: Queens, NY - Martin's brother Finbar,***"

How can I make this person I never knew real to you? Maybe this will do it. From the Irish tribute pages:

"Martin John Coughlan was my father.

But, he wasn't just my father because

I just so happened to be born.

He was my father because

he... cared about me.

raised me.

Loved me.

Picked me up from dance class never being a second late.

encouraged me.

Gave me someone to look up to.

Made me laugh.

Gave me everything I ever needed, even when I didn't deserve it.

taught me.

He was the best father anyone could ever have.

There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about you Dad. We all miss you!

-- ***Denise Coughlan (Daughter {}) 20 Oct 2002***"

Victims. Two thousand nine hundred and ninty nine is the official count of the deaths caused by the first serious terrorist attacks in our own country in many years.

The number is too limited. While only that many died, many more had their lives destroyed that day. For my man, Martin, there were five in his immediate family that had their hearts broken. "They tried the hospitals yesterday looking for Martin but it looks bleak". The hope that they would find their father and the prayers that Catherine must have prayed as they searched for him, wilting as they realized he was not among the wounded, dying as they faced the fact that their man would never be home again.

How I hurt then as a caring bystander. Having lost the mate, I hurt as a fellow mother and wife. Earlier I lost my father and now I can understand the pain and saddness of the daughters. My children and I know how the sudden and unexpected death of the man of the family can not only hurt your heart but change your everyday life in ways you can't foresee. Every one of the victims of 9/11 devastated a family and friends. I can not imagine the tsunami of ripples in the life of the city and nation this attack cause.

Martin was the same generation as my mate and I. A peer. If we had met we might have been friends. The tributes for him and the one photo I have found show a smiling man with kind eyes. He loved and was loved by his family and friends. He was a comic and and singer at parties he attended. He was Irish and I imagine him with a thick brogue rolling through "Danny Boy" with friends, toasting his wife over a glass of champagne, laying his arm over the shoulder of a daughter and smiling at her. I ache for them.

The total number of people who were personally affected by the murders committed on 9/11 is unknowable. The trickle effect has spread the pain of the loss of these people to many of us that never knew them. We must make sure the people responsible are punished.

We do not forget.

## External links

* BBC News Article
* Irish News Article
* Irish Tribute Page
* CNN Memorial Site