Friends To Hold Irish Wake For Florida Pilot

Jimmy Goggin was known by his friends as a man who'd turned his life around. From his drug problems in the 1980s, he became a completely different man after he was released from prison. He became a skywriter, often painting inspirational and religious messages in the sky at his own expense.

As ANN reported last week, Coggin was lost last Tuesday when his Rawdon T1 went down shortly after take-off from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines (FL).

Now, the International Aerobatics Club, Chapter 23, is coordinating the kind of memorial that Goggin said he wanted.

"As you might expect, Jimmy didn’t want to have a formal funeral service and always said he would prefer a traditional Irish wake (ties and coats not allowed!). We plan on doing just that at 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 13th," the group's website said. "In lieu of flowers, donations to help pay for this event would be greatly appreciated. Please forward them to Susan D. Becker, Treasurer, International Aerobatic Club Chapter 23, 2731 N.E. 47th Street, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064. Please make checks out to IAC Chapter 23 and note -- 'For: Jimmy Goggin Memorial Fund.' Proceeds exceeding expenses for the memorial will be donated to the Embry Riddle Aerobatic Club, which Jimmy so enjoyed working with at recent Sebring contests.

Location: West Hangar
Anthony Aviation Center
Pompano Beach Airpark
1401 NE 10th Street
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
954-943-6050
Time: 1500 to 1500
Date: Saturday, November 13, 2004

FMI: www.iac23.org/pages/1/index.htm