U in an amazing man, says mayor • Story continued from page 1. The Bakelite property, Smith said, was of particular interest to Mr. Coughlin who continuously asked questions about the state of the property and the environmen- tal issues at the Dundas Street East location. Though he was elected to office in 2004, Mayor Mary-Anne Sills said she knew Mr. Coughlin for roughly 30 years. It wasn't until he began his term as a councillor, however, that she truly saw what an "amazing man" he was. "I believe Mike was probably one of the most kind and caring people that I have ever known," she said. "He was truly, truly com- mitted as an educator to the kids and then, as a councillor, to his residents." Such commitment comes from within, she said. Debbie Sagriff, a parent whose children attended Holy Rosary School when Mr. Coughlin was principal of the school, said he regarded the children as his own. "He cared about the kids. He took every child under his wing and made them his personal cause," she said. Current principal, Margie Royle, credited Mr. Coughlin as the rea- son she is a principal today. When the pair worked together at St. Joseph's he encouraged Royle to pursue her goal of becoming a principal. She said he was not a pushy individual, but had a way of inspir- ing people. "For Mike it was family first and then the children. His staff was also very important to him and he was a very -giving person," she said. "The children was what his life was all about." Sills said Mr. Coughlin took his role as a city councillor seriously. She said he believed he was entrusted to care for the people who put him in office and ensured they received what was best for them. "He probably fought as tough as a councillor for his con- stituents as he did with his dis- INTELLICENCER FILE PHOTO Former city councillor Michael Coughlin. ease of cancer." Betty Moon-Rae, organizer of Belleville's Terry Fox Run for the past 10 years, said'she has fond memories of Mr. Coughlin, who always raised at least $2,000 for the run. She laughed as she recalled him showing up the day of the run with 10 to 15 pages of pledges. A consistent supporter of the event, Moon-Rae said he never par- ticipated hoping for public recog- nition or media attention, but did it because he wanted to help find a cure for cancer. "It's so incredibly tragic and ironic," she said. Mr. Coughlin was the husband of Renee Coughlin and father to Theresa. He also is survived by brothers and sisters Bernard Coughlin, of Belleville; Brian Coughlin, of Napa- nee; Tom Coughlin, of Belleville; Rose Gilmour, of Napanee; Mark Coughlin, of Calgary; Patricia Kear- ney, of Belleville; Dan Coughlin, of Belleville; Mary Mills, of Napanee; Karen Harry, of Belleville and was predeceased by his brother, John Coughlin. Visitation will be held today^at the Burke Funeral Home, 150 Church St. from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church on Saturday at 11 a.m.