Our Adventures
by Bonnie
John and I met on a blind date on the 4th of July 1972. It was the 3rd time I was being set up and I thought “oh no, not again”, but this time was a success, I was very happy and thankful. He loved motorcycling and snowmobiling. We went on local rides and distance rides. We were in Sturgis twice in the early 80’s, quite an experience. We went on local snowmobile rides and on out of town trips . We rode together originally and then I had my own – I was always the 2nd leader never was a speed demon, the people behind me were usually not very happy.
He loved to talk, when we’d go on vacation he’d carry on a conversation with anyone. Funny story we were in the Canadian Rockies around Lake Louise, planning on going on a cruise on one of the lakes. I was in another area and when I came back there was a goat walking along side John and he was talking to it, there were several Japanese tourists with cameras who were taking pictures of the weird guy talking to the goat, so funny, the goat actually walked down to the boat with us.
He worked in the carnival for a fellow who had a food stand (hamburgers, french fries, pies, etc). They traveled to county fairs in Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska and were at the Minnesota State Fair. He enjoyed his time going to fairs and had many stories. They had to buy their food from the fair, could not bring in their own food.
He worked for a fellow in northern Minnesota on road construction. He worked on I35 when it was built. When he worked for his Dad in North Dakota he actually was driving road construction equipment when he was only 10, tall for his age. His Mom did not know this and when she found out she was not very happy.
He loved to talk to anyone about road construction equipment like Harvey Fenton who also passed away recently. The two of them would talk for hours.
Every summer he would look to see if there was a project going on in the neighborhood, road resurfacing, building houses, apartments, whatever he could find and then every day he’d have to check to see how they were progressing, it was his morning routine.
We had many wonderful vacations together always sorry when they had to end. Many in northern Minnesota and a couple times to Lake Tahoe and the Canadian Rockies. When we went to the Canadian Rockies we decided to go the cheap way with I think it was America West or something like that. It was less expensive except we went from here to Phoenix where their hub was and then to Las Vegas and then Canada – sounds crazy when we’re already on the Canadian border and had to go south to get back up. We got into Calgary around 1:00am there was no one in the airport, very strange – it was an experience and to know not to do that again.
He was the cook from the time we got married, and he was a good one. He baked great pies, wonderful crust – apple and pecan. I did the cleaning up after – it usually took me longer to clean up than it did for him to cook the meal or bake a pie, but I didn’t mind.
It was just the two of us for over 50 years, we so enjoyed each other’s company. He was a wonderful man and I’m going to miss him terribly, hopefully God will help me through.
Bonnie
From sister Elizabeth:
Here are my memories when I think about Cholly:
When I was a young teen, I remember all the fun adventures where Cholly
and Bonnie invited me to join them. These annual trips out onto frozen
lakes on the back of a snowmobile were so memorable that I still can
hear the machines roaring and below-zero temps freezing my eyelashes.
There were also huge vats of steaming booyah, a thick beef stew, served
on icy White Bear Lake, and then later during the summers, massive
barbecues in local parks with Cholly overseeing the chicken, the corn
and the potato salad. Cholly always made sure that I was included in
these trips and was part of his crew.
Over 50 years ago, I was the flower girl at their wedding. I never felt
so grown-up as when I walked down the aisle and stood among the other
attendants. Cholly and Bonnie gave me this feeling.
At holiday dinners, Cholly was responsible for the amazing homemade
apple pie made with red hots. I can still taste that extra zing and see
the beautiful pink color when we cut into it. Cholly learned from our
grandmother how to bake, and his crusts were so tender and flaky.
As we got older, and I began visiting as an adult, Cholly always hosted
me and friends and then my husband, Mike, in his garage, a place he made
into, what I believe, was the very first "mancave." He would make a
special dish, like a cheesy broccoli and chicken hotdish. And he always
had the best gin and tonics mixed up for us!
And, of course, these memorable mancave moments always led to sitting
around and sharing stories. In fact throughout all of these different
times, the best memories are of Choll sharing family stories, stories
from his youth on a motorcycle, stories from his time in the Marines in
Thailand, stories from his work at Structural Wood, stories from his
friend-groups, stories about our mom and dad before any of us others
were born, and stories from when I was little. He was our family
historian and the keeper of our memories. I will miss listening to him
dig deep into his stores and entertaining everyone around him. Mostly I
will miss his laughter, his Minnesota phrases-you betcha!- and his big
hugs when I left, always accompanied by tears in his eyes.
Such a sweetheart.
I love you, Choll!
From nephew Kyle:
Uncle Cholly Eulogy
“Here ya go there! (Said in a very strong Minnesotan accent)”
That is a common serviceable and joyous attitude uncle Cholly had when he hosted the annual Coghlan family get together over for Christmas.
Serving others with a loving and caring heart was the foundation of who he is was a person.
I’ll always remember his famous apple pies, strong bloody Mary’s, and never ending hospitable personality.
Aside from his famous food and drinks, his big beard alongside his joyful soul will be engrained in my memory.
Uncle Cholly is someone you’ll never forget - he’s a caring, loving, and giving man that provided this world with a big smile.
He made his mark on those he met. His positive attitude towards life is something I’ll keep with me to honor his legacy.
Let’s remember what we gained from having such an amazing person in this world.
We can celebrate his life today while knowing that’s he in heaven alongside God in his Kingdom.
I thank God and take comfort that we will meet him again.