Coakley
Coakley is a name of multiple origin in Ireland. Firstly it is the usual modern form of the fine old West Cork surname MacKeighley – Mac Caochlaoich in Irish – which still survives around Dunmanway and Bandon in the more Irish sounding form of Kehilly. This has in some cases almost inevitably been absorbed by [...]
Kenny and Jennifer Lewis
My sister Karen wrote the following about our cousin Kenny and his wife, Jennifer, whom we lost on 9/11/01. Dear Friends, As you all know, tomorrow marks the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. There has been much about it in the news and many channels have had nightly shows regarding various aspects of that day. While [...]
Non-stop action in the Coakley household
Notice how prepared to flee the scene I was in this pic? At the time I was 7 years of age and if I wasn’t being chased by my older brothers or their friends, I was chasing them trying to be a part of the local Kristin Lane street “gang” in Fairfax Virginia. It was [...]
A risk taker from the very start
As far back as I can remember I have enjoyed taking risks. That gleeful lil’ tike in this pic is me holding a card. Worst decision my mom ever made…. I suppose the lack of fear and my eagerness to take on risk that more sensible people would run from was inevitable as youngest of [...]
Born to run
This is a pic of me on my grandfather’s lap at his home in Farmville Virginia in August 1959. Grandpa Dowdy was my mother’s dad and although I don’t remember him well I do think of him when I’m in my garden working on the tomatoes that I learned to love down in Farmville behind [...]