John Donald Coggins

John Donald “Don” Coggins, affectionately known as “Pop Pop,” was born in Philadelphia on November 24, 1929, to Norma and Thomas Coggins.

Don attended St. Andrew School, Drexel Hill and West Catholic High School. He later served in the US Army in Austria as part of the postwar occupation forces before returning home and graduating from La Salle College.

Starting his career in medical sales in Ohio, Don soon returned to Philadelphia to join the family business and work alongside his father as a certified orthotist and prosthetist. He became renowned in his field, providing custom artificial limbs and corrective braces for countless handicapped patients. After many years, he sold the family business to J. E. Hanger Company.

Don married Jane Anne Kelly, and together they raised four children: John (Adele), Patrick (Robyn Stoller), Timothy (Suzanne), and Kathy Prominski (Peter). During those busy family years, Don was an active Boy Scout leader and helped found and coach the ice hockey club at Archbishop Carroll High School for Boys in Radnor, Pennsylvania.

Above all, Don was devoted to his family. He also had a lifelong love of Ocean City, New Jersey, where he spent many summers with his family. An avid boater and saltwater fisherman, Don found great joy on and around the water.

After retirement, he devoted more than 25 years to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 4-9, District 5NR. He served in numerous roles, including vessel examiner and boating safety instructor. One of his most cherished responsibilities was serving as a Coast Guard career counselor and recruiter for the Coast Guard Academy. Through this work, he helped many young people begin successful careers of service with the Coast Guard, a contribution of which he was especially proud.

In his later years, Don lovingly cared for Jane, his wife of 70 years, until her passing in 2025. He treasured time with his 12 grandchildren and delighted in keeping up with his nine great-grandchildren. He was also an enthusiastic member of his diner breakfast club, whose friendship and warm fellowship brought him great enjoyment for many years.

Don will be remembered for his devotion to Jane and his family, his commitment to service, his love of Ocean City and the water, and the genuine interest he took in the lives and futures of others. Don had a quirky sense of humor, was a lifelong prankster, and a storyteller who loved to talk to everyone and anyone, hence making many friends along the way. His was a long life, richly lived and generously shared.

Don’s life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 28 at St. Norbert Church, 6 Greenlawn Rd., Paoli, PA.

In lieu of flowers, Don’s memory may be honored through donations to either of the following organizations:

Tunnel to Towers Foundation t2t.org

Berwyn Fire Company EMS Fund givebutter.com/bfcemsfund