http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm 29 May 2011 Obituary of James J. Coogan _________________________________________________________________ (extracted from "Boston Daily Globe" [MA], 09 JUL 1936, PAGE 15): J. J. COOGAN DEAD, WITH "EL" 61 YEARS Forest Hills Starter, 90, Known to Thousands James J. Coogan, for many years a starter at the Forest Hills Station of the Boston Elevated Railway, where he was known to thousands of patrons, died yesterday morning at his home, 121 Dale st., Roxbury. He was in his 91st year. At the time of his retirement 10 years ago Mr. Coogan had the distinction of being the oldest Elevated employee. He was born in Montreal, came to Boston a the age of 20 and secured a position with the old Highland Railway, which later became the Boston Elevated. Mr. Coogan drove a horsecar and was the operator of the "band car," which plied between the city proper and distant Oakland Gardens at Grove Hall, Roxbury, then a pleasure resort. He was a great lover of horses and was a horse trader in addition to his duties for the railway company. He maintained a large string of animals. When the West End Railway Company made its debut, Mr. Coogan continued in the railway business, was in charge of the stables at Grove Hall and later superintendent of the carbarns at the Norfolk House, Roxbury. With the advent of the electric cars Mr. Coogan became a starter for the Elevated, which succeeded the west End Company. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday morning at St. Joseph's Church, Circuit st., Roxbury. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Mr. Coogan is survived by two sons, Charles Coogan, New York, and William Coogan, Roslindale, and three daughters, Mary, Josephine and Anna L. Coogan, Roxbury. His wife died 25 years ago. _________________________________________________________________ (extracted from "?", 09 JUL 1936) JAMES COOGAN DEAD IN NINETIETH YEAR [photo; caption: "JAMES COOGAN, Who died at his home in Roxbury, yesterday."] Following an illness of two years, James Coogan, who would have been 90 years old next month, died at his home at 121 Dale street, Roxbury, early yesterday. Funeral Services will be held at St. Joseph's Church, Roxbury on Wednesday morning, where a solemn mass of requiem will be sung and interment will be in New Calvary Cemetery, Roslindale. Mr. Coogan was retired from the Boston Elevated Railway a decade ago after working for that concern for 60 years. He started in the business as a tow-boy, caring for the horses after they completed their runs and worked his way up to the position of starter. _________________________________________________________________