Monfredo: Worcester School Committee Honors the Life and Work of “Ted” Coghlin

Saturday, April 18, 2015

John Monfredo, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

Ted and his wife Maureen

Edwin B. “Ted” Coghlin, who passed away during the holiday season, was the long –time president of Coghlin Electrical Contractors of Worcester, chairman of Worcester Vocational Schools Advisory Board, president of the Skyline Advisory Board, involved in many community and civic projects in Worcester County and most importantly a major force in the resurgence of Worcester Technical High School‘s new building, was honored at the Worcester School Committee meeting last week.

He was remembered for his years of contributions to the school where he was affectionately referred to as the “Godfather of Worcester Technical High School. Mr. Coghlin was the driving force for the school since its planning stages of construction. I remember him stating to me back when the new school opened that “Technology and training needs by area companies demand that our students – their future employees - have the best training using the most advanced technology available.” Thus, he started the Skyline Technical Fund and this fund created accounts designed to purchase and maintain updated equipment. The fund continues to this day bringing in the needed revenue to assist the various departments at the school. The thousands of hours he devoted to the school are in creditable!

In a proclamation read by Mayor Joseph Petty, Mr. Coghlin was praised by him and City Manager Edward Augustus as “one of Worcester’s true heroes – the kind of businessman, philanthropist and community leader that set the standard for the rest of us to try and follow. Nearly every important cause or effort in the city owes a debt of gratitude to him.” The proclamation also stated that he had a powerful vision for the school and that he was a tireless, selfless, community servant and role model who will be remembered as a man of strong moral fiber, high integrity and overwhelming kindness.

Speaking on behalf of the Worcester Technical High School staff was Assistant Principal, Mary O’Malley who at the last minute had to substitute for Principal Kyle Brenner who was called away due to a family emergency. Mrs. O’Malley, a most capable replacement, spoke about the many virtues of Ted Coghlin. She acknowledged that the dedication and support that he gave to the school, the faculty, staff, and most importantly the students have culminated in a state-of-the art Career Vocational Technical School. This school has most recently garnered the attention of not only the United States Department of Education with the designation as a 2013 Blue Ribbon School but also the recognition of the President of the United States who gave the address at the 2014 Graduation Ceremony where he so soundly declared, “I want the nation to learn from Worcester Tech.” Ted’s impact on the Worcester Community and the Worcester Technical High School will be felt for generations.

Perhaps the most emotional messages of the evening came from the four senior students representing the school who spoke directly at Mr. Coghlin’s wife, Maureen, and her family. Mohamad Aldarawcheh, from Programming and Web Development talked about Mr. Coghlin’s legacy at the school. Stating, “Mr. Coghlin is known for his motto ‘Our students deserve the best, so they can be the best; for their futures and ours.’ These are words he lived by at Tech. This motto is realized every day when I service the state of the arts computers and tools that the faculty and students of WTHS use each day. Mr. Coghlin helped to make it all possible because of his contributions and leadership. I’m honored to have been accepted to WPI this year; I only wish that Mr. Coghlin could be here to share my joy as he was a proud alumnus with great passion for WTHS and WPI.”

Ted Coghlin

Imena Areiza Betancur, of the Allied Health program, addressed her thoughts of Mr. Coghlin. She asked the students around her to describe him in one word. Most of the responses were honor, family, and dedication to his word. “Mr. Coghlin embodied these qualities throughout his work to inspire and challenge the students and staff at W.T.H.S. A common theme that I hear from staff and students is the great admiration for the work and devotion he had to this school and students… I will forever believe that the course of my education was improved thanks to Mr. Coghlin. I look forward to following in his footsteps and devoting my life through a career dedicated to improving the health and wellness of others.”

Brenden Homsab of the Electrical Department called Mr. Coghlin a hero and the Godfather of the school. He spoke about how Mr. Coghlin helped get the best training possible for the students. “What he did was truly amazing. As an example, I am currently enrolled in the National Grid Engineering Pipeline Program. Mr. Coghlin’s work with WTHS, I am sure helped to secure this mutually beneficial partnership with National Grid. Mr. Coghlin’s dedication to improving vocational/technical education has helped the school become a Blue Ribbon school. I am so happy Mr. Coghlin had a chance to see the President of the United States speak at last year’s graduation and honor the work he has done. Now that Mr. Coghlin has left us, it is up to us, the students, to give back to the world the way he would want us to.”

Peter Thach, from the Machine Tool Technology Department spoke about Mr. Coghlin’s involvement with the Machine Shop and how he secured funding to help move that department forward with partnerships with major Worcester companies like Metso Automation, Siemens, Saint Gobain, and Mass. MEP. “He has brought the school to life and given all students the opportunity to make something more out of their lives. He was part of the team that helped send me and five of my classmates to a once in a lifetime trip to the Solar Decathlon in Datong, China. Mr. Coghlin has inspired me to achieve and dream more and I am truly appreciative that I had the opportunity to know him.

It was a very special evening for the Coghlin family and for Worcester. Those who worked or were associated with Ted would tell you about his great work ethics, his integrity, and his legacy of getting things done the “right way.” His life of service to others was extraordinary, for he was a man with remarkable vision, lots of energy and the tenacity to never give up. The community says THANK YOU to the Coghlin family for letting us share “Ted” and his extraordinary passion to make a difference in our community. Needless to say, he will be missed!