Edwin B. Coghlin, Jr.
2010 Grand Marshal of the 28th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade
By Steve Henricksen
Edwin “Ted” Coghlin, Jr. has been chosen as the Grand Marshal of the 2010 Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade. Coghlin, a lifelong Worcester resident, headed Coghlin Construction Services prior to his retirement.
Ted was born, raised and educated in Worcester. A graduate of Classical High School, he graduated from WPI in 1956. He ran Coghlin Construction Services with exceptional spirit and vision prior to transferring the family business to his daughter, Susan Mailman. Coghlin Construction Services owns two operating companies: Coghlin Electrical Contractors and Coghlin Network Services. These businesses have served Worcester area businesses for over 125 years, headed by four generations.
Ted’s contributions to the Worcester area are numerous. His lifetime of unselfish service to the Worcester community includes working with the Ecotarium, Worcester Engineering Society, Young Businessman’s Club, WPI, Anna Maria, Worcester Urban Renewal CPC, Massachusetts Electrical Code, Bishop’s Fund, United Way, Town of Shrewsbury, and Central MA Regional Employment Board, as well many youth-serving activities including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League. As a director of the Boys & Girls Club during the period where budget constraints forced the consolidation of clubhouse facilities to one clubhouse on Ionic Avenue, Ted chaired the committees charged with planning the best consolidation method, as well as the subsequent change of the Lincoln Square Building to a vocational school classroom complex. The Boys Club board and its executives worked together closely to insure the financial vitality of the club during very difficult times.
Though his volunteer endeavors are diverse, Ted may perhaps be best known for his extraordinary efforts over the past 25 years on behalf of local vocational education. He has often credited vocational school alumni for the success of his family’s longtime business. As Chairman of Worcester Technical High School’s Advisory Board, Ted works closely with administration and faculty to insure that students benefit from the latest technology and teaching, providing students with a state-of-the-art education.
Ted has been honored many times by the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Shrewsbury, WPI, and the Massachusetts Vocational Teachers Association. He has received the Boys & Girls Club Honor Medal and Stoddard Award, and was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame in 2002.
He is a recipient of the Silver Beaver and St. George Medal from the Boy Scouts, the McGraw Medal from the National Electrical Contractors, the Governor’s Inner City Investment Award, the Isaiah Thomas Award, the MAVA-David Cronin Award for improving Vocational Technical Education, the Worcester State College Community Service Award, and the WPI Humanitarian Award.
Ted has received honorary degrees from Anna Maria College and Nichols College, as well as admission to the Academy of Electrical Contracting.
Come join this celebration of our Irish American tradition, led by one of Worcester’s most honored sons!
For more information on this year’s March 14th parade, head to www.stpatsparade.com.