“With Jerry as a friend, we gained a future filled with possibilities for Grandview Kids and the families we serve.”
— Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann, CEO, Grandview Kids
A bright light has just gone out in Durham Region. Jerry Coughlan, hard-working businessman and selfless philanthropist, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, February 24th, 2021. The generosity that Jerry showed throughout his life has helped him create an enormous legacy that will have a lasting impact.
Grandview Kids staff and families are heartbroken by the loss of this wonderful man, whose generous spirit helped to make a difference in the lives of so many Grandview Kids and their families.
Growing up in a working-class family with 10 siblings, Jerry spent his entire life working his way up. As the founder of Coughlan Homes, Jerry helped to build thousands of beautiful homes in our region and also went on to share his success by supporting many charitable organizations in his community, including Grandview Kids.
In 2017, Jerry made a $5 million donation to our Believe Campaign to help build and support the “New Grandview”. Jerry’s inspiring contribution is helping Grandview Kids create a new centre of excellence for kids in Durham Region with physical, communication and developmental needs. We will forever honour his contribution by naming our new building after him.
“At Grandview Kids, Jerry will always be first and foremost remembered as a friend,” says Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann, CEO. “He helped us to create a bold vision of how to build a facility that would provide an experience and a place of hope, discovery, belonging and celebration for all kids. We gained a deep admiration and respect for a man who believed in community. We gained a forever friend.”
Our deepest condolences go out to Jerry’s family during this difficult time, including his wife, Lyn, her two children, and his five children, 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His memory will live on in our hearts forever.
I hope you will take a moment to remember Jerry through the photos below:
