Eddie Coogan, a former bartender at a number of venues in New Hope, died May 11.
The cause of death was unknown by presstime. Coogan was born Feb. 6, 1958, in Valley Forge. He grew up in Virginia and eventually settled in New Hope, where he lived for the past 30 years. Coogan, 55, was self-employed as an in-home dog groomer, and ran his own business for the past 25 years. Coogan was a volunteer for New Hope Celebrates and also served on the board of directors for FACT Bucks County. Cora Berke, a friend of Coogan, knew him for six years. Berke served on the board for FACT Bucks County with Coogan, but the two met when she brought her dog to Coogan’s business. “We became the best friends on this earth,” she said. Berke remembered Coogan for his loyalty and his compassion for others. “Eddie had a passion for life. He was exuberant and he wore his heart on his sleeve, which was what attracted me to him,” she said. “He would do anything for anyone. His level of compassion was amazing.” Berke said Coogan was a well-known entity in New Hope. “Everyone loved Eddie. It was his care and his concern for the whole community that made him special,” she said. “His smile lit up the whole room. He was the go-to guy and our whole town is grieving.” Coogan previously worked as a bartender at number of New Hope venues. Berke said Coogan will be especially missed by his wide circle of friends. “He was passionate about his friends,” Berke said. “If Eddie loved you, he would be loyal to you — loyalty was his thing. He was always there for his friends.” A memorial service and burial ceremony were held May 17 at St. Phillip’s Church in New Hope. Coogan was buried in Holy Cross Burial Park in South Brunswick, N.J. Friends of Coogan are planning a memorial service at The Raven in New Hope. Coogan is survived by his partner, Raymond Shaffer; mother Elsie Smith Coogan Frizzel; sister Constance Tribo and brother-in-law Thomas Tribo Jr.; brother William Coogan and sister-in-law Ruth; brother Arthur Coogan; and several nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as his two dogs, Wilma and Jasper.