David Coughlin (1983)

From the NewsTimes 6/3/2008 Take on Life: The sheriff says goodbye

Dave Coughlin might best be remembered for spinning the oldies at Tuxedo Junction and making characters come to life for local theater companies.

But to me, he'll always be Sheriff Jack.

Dave Coughlin perhaps was best known in the Danbury area for his portrayal of Sheriff Jack at Two Steps. Maybe it wasn't his most demanding role.
Or even his most celebrated.

But Coughlin, a former Danbury resident who passed away July 2 in Los Angeles at the age of 47, ran with the gig anyway. He loved playing Sheriff Jack in the old "Wild West Show" dinner skit at Two Steps Downtown Grille a decade ago.

"I remember how much my nieces and nephews loved those shows," said Coughlin's brother, Chris. "Dave was born to be a performer. At Danbury High School, they used to do these variety shows and he was in almost every scene."

Chris and Dave were born six years apart, the youngest of Jim and Audrey Coughlin's six children. For a long time, Chris was the sidekick, the kid brother with stars in his eyes.

"Growing up, I was always Dave's brother. Nobody ever knew my name in Danbury," said Chris Coughlin, who lives in Sherman now. "It wasn't easy following in his footsteps. But at the same time, I was very proud to be his brother."

Dave Coughlin is survived by four other siblings and spouses -- Daniel Coughlin of Bethel and his wife, Joanne; James Coughlin of Newtown and his wife, Marge; Virginia Kiraly of Glastonbury and her husband, John; and Audrey Coughlin of Danbury.

On Sunday, family and friends will gather at Two Steps from 2 to 5 p.m. for one final performance, an encore celebration of Dave Coughlin, the man who rounded up Black Bart and saved the day.

"His nickname was Super Dave. He was just super to everyone," said Keith O'Marra, who co-owns Two Steps with Tom Devine. "No one ever had a bad thing to say about him. Dave was one of a kind. To me, he was family."

In 1996, after building his resume in New York with commercial spots and independent films, Dave Coughlin headed to Los Angeles to hone his craft.

Before long, he landed bit parts in "Wag the Dog" with Dustin Hoffman and "Air Force One" with Harrison Ford.

"Dave could always make everybody laugh. He lit up a room whenever he came in," said Lockey Coughlin, Chris' wife. "I remember this one time, he came back to visit and brought a football signed by (ex-New York Jets quarterback) Joe Namath for my son, Tucker.

"He just had this way of running into people and making friends. He had a gift that way," she went on. "He was unaffected by stardom or celebrity. To him, people were just people."

Another time, Dave Coughlin brought home a souvenir for his mother.

In 1967, we took "this family picture with my mother, my father, myself and Dave standing outside the Palace Theater with 'The Graduate' on the marquee," Chris said, referring to the blockbuster film starring Hoffman and Anne Bancroft.

Then, "when Dave did 'Wag the Dog' with Dustin Hoffman, he had a copy of that picture made and Dustin Hoffman signed it for my mother. But that was Dave. He was always thinking of other people."

Lockey Coughlin still remembers the first time she saw "Wag the Dog" on the big screen in 1997.

"In this one scene, he's singing in the chorus and they just stop the camera on his face. It takes up the entire screen," she said. "He looks so happy."

This is the Dave Coughlin his family wants you to remember Sunday. And beyond.

"Even though Dave moved out to the West Coast, we stayed in touch with this little game we used to play," O'Marra said. "He could be at a sporting event, a concert, on vacation, whatever, and he'd call me and say, 'Hey, Keith, guess where I am now?'

"A lot of times, I wasn't even in the right country," O'Marra added. "Just about a month ago, he called me from Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. He was there for a friend's wedding."

Over the past few days, as news of Dave Coughlin's passing has spread through town, the phone hasn't stopped ringing at Two Steps, O'Marra said.

Now, if he listens hard enough, O'Marra can almost hear his buddy on the other line: "Hey, Keith, guess where I am now?"

It's hard to say for sure, but it's a good bet there's a new sheriff in heaven.

Contact Brian Koonz at bkoonz@newstimes.com or at (203) 731-3411.

Again, from the NewsTimes

David M. Coughlin, formerly of Danbury, passed away peacefully the evening of July 2nd in Los Angeles, Calif. following a brief illness. Dave, who moved to Southern California in 1996, was surrounded by close friends and family when he died at an L.A. Hospital Wednesday evening. 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, David was the fifth child of the late James and Audrey Lee Coughlin. The Coughlins moved from Neptune, NJ to Danbury in 1964 where Dave worked his way through the Danbury School System, graduating Danbury High School in 1978. He completed his formal education at W.C.S.U. with a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Communication, all the while working at Liggett's Pharmacy to help pay his way through school. As most actors do, Dave worked many jobs in the Danbury area, inter-mingling a prolific acting and performance career with other successful endeavors. One of Dave's 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, Dave 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 Dave's next stop, where his popular oldies themed DJ show led to work at Boppers in both New Haven and Stamford. Dave 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. Once again, Dave 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 their "Wild West Show" on weekends. This restaurant and the friends he made here held a special place in his heart. In 1996, Dave 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. Dave 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. Dave loved people all people. He enjoyed golfing and relaxing by the ocean on both coasts, always spending time with friends and family. David is survived by three brothers: Daniel (wife Joanne) of Bethel, James (wife Marge) of Newtown and Christopher (wife Lockey) of Sherman. He is survived by two sisters: Virginia Kiraly (husband, John) of Glastonbury and Audrey Coughlin of Danbury. He is survived by eight nieces and nephews and many cousins. David is also survived by more friends and loved ones than a person could count. 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 13th 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.

Published in the News Times on 7/6/2008.