James Coogan
North Esk Rowing Club (Tas) and Tamar Rowing Club (Tas)
1905 - Interstate Men’s Eight Championships coach – Second
1906 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championships coach – First
1907 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championships coach – Second
1908 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championships coach – Third
1909 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championships coach – First
1923 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championships coach – Fifth
James with his winning 1906 Tasmanian crew
The following obituary appeared in the Launceston Examiner on 4th May 1953.
A man who did much to further the sport of rowing in Tasmania and who was himself a champion sculler, died in Launceston yesterday.
He was Mr. J. Coogan, aged 89, last surviving member of the original firm of William Coogan and Co. Pty. Ltd., Launceston.
Mr. Coogan was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Coogan, Melbourne, and came to Tasmania at the age of 15 to join his brother, William Coogan, in the firm.
A keen rower, Mr. Coogan won many Northern Tasmanian and Tasmanian sculling titles late last century.
He coached five [Editors: six] Tasmanian crews which gained places in the King's Cup contest — including two winning crews.
Mr. Coogan was a life member of North Esk and Tamar Rowing Clubs, and officials of both clubs expressed regret at his passing yesterday.
Among his proudest possessions were numerous trophies he won as a rower.
He played football with the original City Football Club and retained a keen interest in the game until his death.
Mr. Coogan. retired from active sport when his wife died in 1927.
He is survived by four daughters, Florence (Mrs. C. K. O'Dea (Vic.), Eileen (Launceston), Beryl (Mrs. B. Tabart, Launceston), and Bessie (Mrs. Jowett, Hobart), and two sons, Roy (Launceston), and Claude (Adelaide).
Another son, James, predeceased him.
The burial will take place at Carr Villa Cemetery tomorrow.
Steve Roll and Andrew Guerin
December 2020