David M.

Coughlin

‘Super Dave’

David M. Coughlin, formerly of Danbury, died July 2 in Los Angeles, Calif., following a brief illness. He was 47. Mr Coughlin, who moved to Southern California in 1996, was surrounded by close friends and family. At his side were his two brothers, Daniel and James, as well as Danbury natives Richard Antous, Bob Fitzpatrick, and Mick Deacon. Born on August 22, 1960, Daniel was the fifth child of the late James and Audrey Lee Coughlin.

He is survived by three brothers, James and his wife, Marge, of Newtown, Daniel and his wife, Joanne, of Bethel, and Christopher and his wife, Lockey, of Sherman; two sisters, Virginia Kiraly and her husband, John, of Glastonbury, and Audrey Coughlin of Danbury. He is also survived by eight nieces and nephews; many cousins; and by more friends and loved ones than a person could count.

The Coughlins moved from Neptune, N.J., to Danbury in 1964, where Mr Coughlin worked his way through the Danbury School System, graduating Danbury High School in 1978. He completed his formal education at Western Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s in theater arts and communication, all the while working at Liggett’s Pharmacy to help pay his way through school. As most actors do, he worked many jobs in the Danbury area, intermingling a prolific acting and performance career with other successful endeavors.

One of his daytime roles was as head tennis coach at Danbury High School, where he embodied the coach/mentor persona. During this time, he performed at the Southbury Playhouse in productions such as Brighton Beach Memoirs and Beyond Therapy. At the Colonial Tavern Dinner Theatre in Oxford, Mr Coughlin studied under the private instruction of Thomas Littleton and performed in plays such as Lovers and Other Strangers and Come Blow Your Horn. Tuxedo Junction was his next stop, where his popular oldies-themed DJ show led to work at Boppers in both New Haven and Stamford. Mr Coughlin continued to hone his craft in New York City, where he moved on to work in both commercials and independent films. He was most proud of his lead character, Shermy, in the imaginative film High Waters, although most area residents may remember him from his numerous other roles.

Mr Coughlin was able to supplement his income finding a home away from home at Two Steps Grill in downtown Danbury, where he worked as a waiter and performed in its Wild West Show on weekends. The friends he made at Two Steps Grill held a special place in his heart.

In 1996, he decided it was time to make the move to L.A. It was here that he was able to join the Screen Actors Guild and land small roles on major studio films such as Wag the Dog with Dustin Hoffman and Air Force One with Harrison Ford, while continuing his work in commercials and independent films. He found a niche working as a bartender at one of the most exclusive places in L.A., by virtue more of its size than its membership requirements. He mingled with big name stars and found another home away from home at The Harbor Room.

Mr Coughlin loved people, all people. He enjoyed golfing, and relaxing by the ocean on both coasts, always spending time with friends and family. Sometimes known as “The Man of the Eighties” or “Super Dave,” he will be missed by all those to whom he brought laughter and love.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of this vibrant man’s life at Two Steps on Ives Street in Danbury, Sunday, July 13, from 2 to 5 pm. Our deepest gratitude goes out to Tom Divine and Keith O’Mara for their incredible generosity in hosting this event.

The Newtown Bee        July 11, 2008