Carl Augustus Scharfe Coan, Jr.
September 1, 1934 ~ June 15, 2013
Carl Augustus Scharfe Coan, Jr. on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at his residence in Falls Church, VA. Born in Philadelphia in 1934, Mr. Coan came to this area as a young boy. After graduating from Gonzaga College High School in 1951 and Georgetown University in 1954, he served in the United States Army as a lieutenant from 1954 to 1956. He graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1958 and began a career of service with the United States government from 1958 to until 1971, serving in such capacities as an attorney for the Federal Housing Administration; Legislative Opinion Counsel at the Urban Renewal Administration; Deputy Director of the Redevelopment Division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Urban Renewal Assistance Administration. In 1967 Mr. Coan became the Assistant General Counsel for Legislative Policy of HUD. He was responsible for supervising HUD's federal legislative activities, including the landmark Housing and Urban Development act of 1968.
He left the government to become Deputy Legislative Counsel for the National Association of Home Builders in 1969. He later became Staff Vice President for Governmental Affairs- Legislative Counsel for NAHB. In 1977, Mr Coan entered the private practice of law, specializing in advising and representing organizations and individuals on issues before the Congress and the Executive Branch in such areas as housing, taxation, aid to cities, grant programs, and financial institutions.
Active in local affairs, Mr Coan was a member of the Virginia Commitee on Neighborhood Preservation in Arlington County, Virginia from 1962-1963 and a consultant until 1969. Mr Coan served on the Fairfax County Planning Commission for four years. He was a member and former Chairman of the Consumer Protection and Public Utilities Commission for Fairfax County, and for ten and one half years was a member of, and two years Chairman of, the Redevelopment and Housing Authority of Fairfax County.
From 1972-1975 Mr. Coan was a member of the Advisory Committee on the Uniform Land Transactions Act of the Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. He served for three years as Vice-President of the National Housing Conference and was a member of its Board of Directors since 1971, elected a Life Director in 2000. For twenty years he was a a trustee of the Cooperative Trustee of the Cooperative Housing Foundation (now Global Communities). Mr Coan was active in several professional organizations including the American Bar Association.
Mr. Coan's life was one of service to his God, to his country, to his family, and to his neighbors. He had a strong sense of social justice and devoted his career to ensuring that those less fortunate, both near him, across the country and around the world, had opportunities afforded to them to give dignity and opportunity to their lives.
Beloved husband of 58 years to Patricia Lacey Coan; devoted father of Carl A.S. Coan III. Christopher H. Coan, Timothy J. Coan, Shelia C. Salmon and Kenneth W. Coan; devoted father-in-law of Mary Coan and James Salmon; brother of Patricia Fitzmaurice, Ralph Coan, Joan Schumacher, Catherine McCarthy, Thomas Coan and John Coan and the late Mary Josephine and Jerry Coan; grandfather of Victoria, Genevieve, Olivia, Julia, Gabrielle, Alyssa, Katherine, Claire, and Jack. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
He left the government to become Deputy Legislative Counsel for the National Association of Home Builders in 1969. He later became Staff Vice President for Governmental Affairs- Legislative Counsel for NAHB. In 1977, Mr Coan entered the private practice of law, specializing in advising and representing organizations and individuals on issues before the Congress and the Executive Branch in such areas as housing, taxation, aid to cities, grant programs, and financial institutions.
Active in local affairs, Mr Coan was a member of the Virginia Commitee on Neighborhood Preservation in Arlington County, Virginia from 1962-1963 and a consultant until 1969. Mr Coan served on the Fairfax County Planning Commission for four years. He was a member and former Chairman of the Consumer Protection and Public Utilities Commission for Fairfax County, and for ten and one half years was a member of, and two years Chairman of, the Redevelopment and Housing Authority of Fairfax County.
From 1972-1975 Mr. Coan was a member of the Advisory Committee on the Uniform Land Transactions Act of the Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. He served for three years as Vice-President of the National Housing Conference and was a member of its Board of Directors since 1971, elected a Life Director in 2000. For twenty years he was a a trustee of the Cooperative Trustee of the Cooperative Housing Foundation (now Global Communities). Mr Coan was active in several professional organizations including the American Bar Association.
Mr. Coan's life was one of service to his God, to his country, to his family, and to his neighbors. He had a strong sense of social justice and devoted his career to ensuring that those less fortunate, both near him, across the country and around the world, had opportunities afforded to them to give dignity and opportunity to their lives.
Beloved husband of 58 years to Patricia Lacey Coan; devoted father of Carl A.S. Coan III. Christopher H. Coan, Timothy J. Coan, Shelia C. Salmon and Kenneth W. Coan; devoted father-in-law of Mary Coan and James Salmon; brother of Patricia Fitzmaurice, Ralph Coan, Joan Schumacher, Catherine McCarthy, Thomas Coan and John Coan and the late Mary Josephine and Jerry Coan; grandfather of Victoria, Genevieve, Olivia, Julia, Gabrielle, Alyssa, Katherine, Claire, and Jack. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
My condolences to the Family and especially Carl III. Carl Jr. was a talented and wonderful man. He is responsible for the creation of NAHMA. Bill Kargman
May God embrace you as you enter his kingdom. Continued prayers for your family during this time.
You will be missed. I enjoyed the few after work hours chats we had about life and technology woes 🙂 God Bless.
To Pat Coan and the entire Coan family (of which Carl was very proud)– It wasn’t until about three weeks ago that I first learned Carl was ill, ironically at one of our monthly poker games from which Ray was absent and Jon Kamarck told us. In the blog I put out Sunday, I mentioned Carl’s passing and reflected that the quarreling some of us heard on Saturday likely was St Peter and Carl arguing about “how much of the 1968 Housing Act Carl wrote,” with CASC insisting it was between “most and all!” Carl was a bold and pugnacious advocate for housing and home ownership and he wore it proudly on his sleeve. It took all of 10 seconds after meeting him or talking to him for people to understand his zeal. He was a proud bearer of the label “houser” and he wore it unflinchingly. (Unfortunately, I am going out of town and won’t be able to attend Carl’s services.) From Heidi and me, gentle healing, good health, and much success to you all.
Aunt Pat, Carl, Chris, Tim, Shelia, Ken and family: Above my computer here at my desk at HUD,I have a photo of Ahdaddy at the White House bill signing that created this agency that helps our nation house our people. From here on I will also be thinking of Uncle Carl when I look at that cherished phote, which is every day. God Bless you all at this difficult time. Hopefully you have already been amazed at God’s grace and how pleased the Lord was with Uncle Carl. Don’t worry, it will continue on and on. Peace be with you all! Love, Brian, Jennifer, Patrick, Douglas and Carrigan
I enjoyed the short time I worked with Mr. Coan on the Planning Commission. His dedication to affordable housing was courageous.
We send our condolences to all the family. To be remembered in our prayers. Mary Catherine and Allen Dash
We thank God for Carl’s life, for the good times you enjoyed together and for the fond memories you will carry into future years. Our sincerest sympathy, Marsh and Estela
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and your family. We’re here for you;…blessings. John & Steph.
Carl was a great resource on housing issues and a friend. My condolences to Carl’s family on his passing.
Dear Pat and Family, I valued Carl not only as a good friend but as the giant in the field of affordable housing. No matter what adversity faced those of us fighting for decent housing for all, Carl would not be daunted. He was our leader and got us through some difficult times. Carl served on our Advisory Board of Housing and Development Reporter from its inception. He not only attended virtually every meeting, he kept thorough notes on the proceedings.He was an invaluable source of housing history. Carl lives on in the hearts of his family, friends and perhaps unknowingly in the thousands of lower income Americans with a good place to live because of his efforts.