August C. Van Couyghen, Esq.

August Charles Van Couyghen, Esq., 85, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2010 after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Rosalind (Burns) Van Couyghen. After graduating from East Providence High School in 1942, Augie enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he earned his “wings” as a naval fighter pilot. He flew the infamous F4F “Wildcat” which was a single pilot airplane designed to engage its Japanese counterpart, the “Zero”. His group of naval aviators were known as the “night fighters” due to their ability to fly at night relying solely on their instruments. At the conclusion of his service in the Navy he enrolled in the University of Rhode Island, (formerly the Rhode Island State College), where he met his beloved Roz. While at U.R.I . Augie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a major in accounting. He also competed in intercollegiate tennis and was an integral part of the 1948 team that brought the Yankee Conference Championship to U.R.I. After graduating from college he earned his Juris Doctorate at Boston College Law School. He worked as an attorney for the I.R.S. in the estate and gift tax division before entering the private practice of law in 1952. He was the founder of the law firm Van Couyghen and Lally. Augie was vigilant about helping those in need and always did a generous amount of pro bono work. Augie’s courageous and adventurous nature was always evident. He had many interests throughout his life including fly fishing, boating and playing the piccolo. He loved Narragansett Bay and the ocean. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club, and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Augie was also an original trustee of the U.R.I. Foundation. He leaves a son, Brian Van Couyghen and his wife Christine Moore, three daughters, Renee and Alison Van Couyghen and Jean Potter and her husband Franco, all of Narragansett. His six grandchildren were the light of his life: Carolee Van Couyghen, Alex Ritchie, Adrian and Shawn Potter, and Michaeleen and Maeve Van Couyghen all of Narragansett. He also leaves his dear brother Pedro Van Couyghen of Barrington, and several nieces and cousins. A funeral mass to celebrate Augie’s life will be held Thursday January 21 at 10 AM at Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea in Narragansett, RI. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers please send donations to South County Hospital, 100 Kenyon Avenue, Wakefield, RI 02879, where Augie received wonderful care and was blessed to have Dr. Donald McNiece as his physician. A TRIBUTE TO AUGIE August Charles Van Couyghen (6/13/1924 – 1/16/2010) Augie traveled to the beat of his own drum. His open minded gregarious personality made him a magnet for attracting innovative people. He was an optimistic maverick who often did not follow the rules. Despite wearing his “signature bow tie” to work everyday he was extremely adventurous. During World War II, while training as a night fighter in the Navy, Augie took a “slight detour” heading north to RI on a practice flight in his single engine plane buzzing underneath the old Jamestown Bridge just to test his own courage and technical ability, both of which came naturally to him. He later buzzed over his parent’s house so low that their chickens did not lay eggs for two weeks. Augie was an excellent tennis player and played for the tennis team at URI. His team won the Yankee Conference Championship in 1948. He taught all four of his children Brian, Renee, Alison and Jean to play tennis and explore the many micro environments of Narragansett Bay. They would bring home bushels of steamers in potato baskets and summer flounder from Potters Cove. He taught his children how to water ski on Johnsons Pond in Coventry. It took them a little longer than usual because he taught them on trick skis! Augie’s philosophy was the sooner you learn to laugh at yourself the happier you will be. Augie was spontaneous and relished in physical challenges. He was often accompanied on his adventures by his brother Pedro. He always marveled at the strength of his 91 year old brother. Augie’s first job was “peddling papers” to his neighbors on Franklin Street in Riverside. His next job was collecting tickets for amusement rides at Crescent Park. During his summer brake from URI he worked in the kitchen at Aunt Carriers Restaurant plucking chickens and shucking clams while Roz waited on tables. He paid for law school by working as a taxi cab driver in Boston. He started his career as an attorney with the IRS, although most of his career was as a self-employed lawyer at Van Couyghen and Lally. He gave back to the community in many ways. Being independent granted him the freedom to run his life as he wished. He was very generous and did a fair amount of Pro Bono work. He was empathetic and vigilant about protecting those in need. He and Roz had many loyal, lively friends from various backgrounds and all walks of life. Augie and Roz were from diverse backgrounds. Roz was refined and practiced Tai Chi in their backyard for 40 years. Augie was a first generation American whose parents were farmers and lace weavers from northern France. He ate frog legs and pheasant. But what made Roz and Augie’s bond so strong was a passion for life, a strong belief in moral integrity and a need to celebrate the individuality of their children and grandchildren. He was a master of “let go and let grow”. Augie and Roz’s big adventure later in life was celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in Ireland with family and friends. It was a vacation of a lifetime for all. After Roz passed away Augie looked forward to the weekly ritual of congregating with his family at home for “Friday Night Club”. Thanks to his daughter-in-law Chris who cooked and his son-in-law Franco who supplied fish, he enjoyed great memories during those dinners. The family shared their dreams about opening a community soup kitchen or just sitting around debating the Red Sox game that was playing on TV. “The Cousins” Carolee, Adrian, Alex, Michaeleen, Shawn and Maeve love getting together at Grandpas and hope this tradition continues, passing on his legacy. His daughter Jean and her family moved into Grandpas house three years ago so he could remain at home. Augie was with his family as he passed away peacefully at South County Hospital last Saturday. He received excellent care and was truly blessed by having Dr. Donald Mc Niece as his physician. Roz and Augie had a full and stimulating life but their time alone was most sacred. They were soul mates. Now they are together again.