Hugh P. Coburn, 89 years old, of Elyria, died on Monday, August 13, 2012 at New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph in Lorain. He was employed in broadcast engineering for 45 years in Cleveland and the Elyria area. Born in Cleveland and living in Euclid until moving to Elyria in 1956.
He worked in Cleveland at radio station WDOK and WJMO and as a technician at Case Institute of Technology. For 10 years he was Chief Engineer for the Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Company, then as Audio Recording Engineer for the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He retired after 16 years with the National Broadcasting Co., in Cleveland, at the transmitters, and studio technical maintenance.
During WWII Hugh served with the U.S. Army in the 472nd Field Artillery Bn., both in the States, and overseas in New Guinea, Philippines, Okinawa and Japan. The 472nd joined the 11th Airborne Division during the Luzon, Philippine campaign, and were the first troops into Japan, after the Japanese surrender. Hugh was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, American Theater Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal.
Hugh was very interested in music, including the classics, big band, jazz, the great pop singers, opera, and the Cleveland Orchestra. He also retained and corresponded with family, friends, school friends, those he worked with, and those he served with in the 472nd.
Mr. Coburn was a member of NABET, the National Association of Broadcast employees, and Technicians, serving a number of years as secretary of Local 42. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1079 Elyria, the St. Jude St. Vincent DePaul Society and the 472nd Field Artillery Association.
The beloved husband of Mildred (nee Bulger); step father of William Bulger of Kent, Judith Bulger of Elyria; step grandfather of Ami Bulger and Eric Bulger, both of Elyria; and special nieces, Barbara E. Detweiler of Uniontown, Pennsylvania and Gloria T. Kontir of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Sandy Flanigan and Pat Beech; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary (nee Lorence) in 2000; and his parents, Hugh and Frances Coburn.
Friends may call at the Reichlin Roberts Funeral Home, 327 Cleveland St., Elyria, on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 P.M. Closing prayers will be in the funeral home on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 9:30 A.M. followed by Mass at 10 A.M. with the Reverend Father Frank P. Kosem officiating. Burial with full military honors by the VFW Post 1079 will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Elyria.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Church Helping Hand.
To leave online condolences for the family go to www.reichlinroberts.com.
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