Howard "Kip" Coggins

Coggins, Howard (Kip) William of Lake of Bays peacefully passed away with family by his side on December 17, 2024. Much loved by his wife of 32 years Marylou, his children Chris, Tanya (Mike), Adrianne, Dale, Patricia, Kathryn, grandchildren Kaelen, Kennedy, David, Zachary, Jonathan; great-grandchildren Vincent, Sora; brother Gordon and siter Arlene.

As a child Kip spent many happy summers with his parents at their Cottage in Minden. Located next to his sister Arlene, her husband Tom and nephews Tim, Terry and Todd, Kawaratha Dairy was a favourite place to stop on a hot summer day. Kip helped his brother Gordon build two cottages on Kawagama Lake in his teens where he learned to sail with his nephew David on a sunfish sailboat. His love of sailing continued into adulthood. He bought a 33-foot sailboat in the early 2000s which he used to sail all over Georgian Bay with his wife and loving schnauzer Molly by his side for 10 years.

Kip loved his children Chris and Tanya and was very involved in their extra-curricular activities throughout their childhood.

Kip was a proud 50 year alumni of Queens University studying Engineering. In the 80s he moved to Muskoka and started Kontek Engineering. He was a proud engineer working all over Ontario, on the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, hospitals, arenas and docks until retiring earlier this year. Long time friend architect Duncan Ross was always a favourite collaborator.

Kip believed in giving back to the community through service and was a past member of The Kinsmen Club, Rotary Club, Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star Lake of Bays #252 and Scottish Rights. He was honoured to be a 33rd degree Mason at Unity Lodge in Huntsville where he was well liked. Inducted on December 13, 1995, Kip was Master in 2001 and 2015 and Chaplain 2018 to 2024.

A lifelong learner Kip loved to discuss what he had read or heard and discuss diverse viewpoints with friends and colleagues.

Kip’s favourite form of travel was cruising. He loved midnight buffets and experiencing new countries. He had a love of creating art including pen and ink, water colours and acrylic painting. Kip was happiest sharing his art with others. An Alaskan cruise in 2023 led him to a fascination with painting the Aurora Borealis.

A funeral service will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home, 15 High Street, Huntsville on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 1pm.

Donations can be made to Huntsville Hospice, A Local Food Bank, or the Canadian Cancer Society.