Lowell Coolidge

R. Lowell Coolidge, 80, of Wellsboro, PA passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, September 3, 2021. He was born on October 22, 1940 at the City of Quincy Hospital in Quincy Massachusetts to Raymond M. and Jane (Adams) Coolidge of Wellsboro. Lowell graduated from the Wellsboro and Charleston Combined Senior High School in 1958 and matriculated to American University in Washington, D.C. the following fall. Living in Washington during the early 1960s and witnessing national politics firsthand stoked Lowell's interest in politics and government and helped to inspire him to pursue a law degree at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Upon completion of his law degree, Lowell took a position at a bank in Harrisburg, PA, which meant, in order to continue his relationship with his sweetheart Lynne Watkins, he would have to make the long drive back to Wellsboro every weekend to visit her. The allure of raising a family in small town America was too much to resist, so he returned to Wellsboro, bought a house, and married Lynne. Lowell was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 1970. Shortly thereafter he began practicing law with Thomas A. Walrath, Sr. and together they founded the legal firm Walrath & Coolidge in 1972, and moved into the firm's current home at 126 Main St. in 1976, where he practiced law for the next 45 years.
Lowell's love of Tioga County and his dedication to his community led to him taking up leadership positions in numerous local organizations throughout his life in Wellsboro. He served on the Wellsboro Area School District School Board from 1977 to 1981. He joined the Board of Directors of First Citizens Community Bank (FCCB) in 1985 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1989 until his death. He served as a member of the board of directors at the Wellsboro Chapter of the Red Cross, the Deane Center in Wellsboro, PA, Growth Resources of Wellsboro (GROW), Tioga County Historical Society, the Wellsboro Cemetery Company, and the Wellsboro Area High School Alumni Association. Lowell was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wellsboro since 1953--singing in the church choir and serving multiple terms as an ordained elder of the church.
Besides his legal practice and his work with FCCB, Lowell had a great love of genealogy and Tioga County history. Evenings and weekend afternoons that weren't taken up by swim meets, Little League games, or mowing the lawn, were spent reading through old deeds, visiting local cemeteries, or perusing the History of Tioga County trying to learn as much as he could about his hometown. Whether it was over a chocolate sundae at a church ice cream social or a lecture put on by the historical society, Lowell loved to talk to people about their lives and the histories of their families.
Lowell was preceded in death by his wife: Lynne Watkins Coolidge; a son: Raymond Francis Coolidge; his parents; a brother: William A. Coolidge; and a sister: Anne M. Ford. He is survived by his children: Nathan Coolidge (SanBee) of Philadelphia, PA, Amy C. Wood (Chris) of Mansfield, PA, and Peter Coolidge (Cristina) of Selinsgrove, PA; he is also survived by three grandchildren: Vincent Lowell Coolidge, Marilyn Frances Coolidge, and Wyatt Adams Wood; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Lowell's life will be held Saturday, October 16 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Wellsboro.  Arrangements entrusted to the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home 139 Main Street Wellsboro, PA, to share a memory or condolence, visit:  www.tusseymosher.com. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Tioga County Historical Society, 120 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901 or the Deane Center for the Arts, 104 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901.

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