Tom Coghill Memorial Fund

Friends of Tom Coghill and his beloved wife Gen, and their sons Thomas, Charlie and Patrick, have been asking me what they can do to help out after the sudden loss of Tom. The Coghill family greatly appreciates all of the love and support sent in their direction. In lieu of flowers or gifts, this gofundme is set up as a place to send donations directly to the family. The best gift we can offer Gen right now is time. Time to grieve. Time to process. And time to make the right decisions for her family.

If you were blessed enough to know Tom, you have probably been a recipient of his generosity. The only thing bigger than his gruff, growling voice, was his heart. My friend and fellow staff member Sara Haithcoat put it best, I think. She said, "The only thing better than Toms food was his ability to bring people together and take care of his family." (I know when I joined the Iron Barley staff 15 years ago, I had no idea it was going to change my life. I gained a surrogate family and a second father). Tom and Gen put together everything from holiday dinners for Oafs and Waifs to Rib-Offs and Tomato Fests. They set places at their table at Iron Barley for Soldiers who went to war and never returned home. They collected gifts for Toys for Tots and canned goods for local food pantries. They built the world's largest BLT. Humbly, from the most routine to the most significant of days, they constantly touched lives.

Tom made Iron Barley a place people of all walks of life could eat a spectacular meal, have a drink, enjoy lively conversation and hear the best musicians in town. All things close to his heart. Full of passion for food and music, Tom never did anything halfway. When he decided to do something, he put his heart, soul and back into it. And I'm hoping we can return that love and dedication to Tom and support Gen and the boys and their families with this memorial fundraiser. Thank you, and please feel free to share.