Liam Richard Coakley

MOUNT VERNON – Liam Richard Coakley, 12, a student, a radiant soul who brightened every room he entered, and a beacon of youthful joy and curiosity, left this world far too soon on Dec. 26, 2025, in the comfort of his home with his mom and dad by his side. Born on Sept. 1, 2013, in Portland, he resided in Mount Vernon, where his spirit of curiosity and adventure made a permanent mark on all who knew him.

Liam’s life, though short, was a testament to the power of joy, love, and an insatiable curiosity. He was a bright spark, always ready with a smile, a question, a witty remark or an intriguing fact about his latest interest. His parents, Joseph and Maryann Coakley, remember him as loving, compassionate, polite, a warrior, strong, brave, determined, funny and intelligent, always eager to learn, explore, and share his discoveries with those around him. His enthusiasm for life was infectious, making every day an adventure.

Liam loved music, singing, trains, animals, food, people and school. He said that when he grew up, he was going to start as singer, become a veterinarian, a farmer, and a father of eight kids to share his legacy with. He was a fan of the musical group Kidz Bop, that motivated him to sing in the shower, to his chickens and join the school choir, he loved to sing! His love of trains began with Thomas the Train. He had hundreds of pieces of tracks and trains that he would build and play with for hours with family. He loved animals from dogs and cats to chickens and cows. At a very young age, he enjoyed visiting, helping with and naming the cows, bulls, calves and chickens at Ralph and Karen Hopkins’s farm. He enjoyed visiting Pineland farms and seeing the cows and the market. Liam had chickens, all of which were named. They would follow him around the yard, and he would collect their eggs, all the while singing. He loved to watch cat videos and convinced his mom and dad to get him a cat, Grayci, his faithful companion.

Liam was a foodie. He loved food, meal planning, and grocery shopping and loved to create his own creations. He had a love for Mexican food and especially loved hot sauce, Ghost Pepper Wing Sauce, the hotter the better. Liam had a play kitchen where he ran his restaurant “Taco E Tuesdays”. He created menus and daily specials that he would serve family and friends. A fan of “The Family Fudge” a YouTube channel with a mom who would make fancy lunches for her kids, gave him inspiration. He loved organizing the food pantry, planning social events and going out to eat at different restaurants to order buffalo chicken tenders and people watch. He enjoyed sitting down with great Grammy and discussing school lunch menus. While a patient at MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital he created and presented a new kids menu and gathered over 1400 signatures in favor of his new menu for the hospital to consider.

Liam had a special relationship with the Mount Vernon Fire Department who made him an honorary member. Liam attended Maranacook Community Middle School, where he was a seventh grade student on team Royal. He was an honor student, and was part of the school choir, Minecraft club and the Black Bear Advisory Council. Liam was referred to as the school mayor by some, always smiling, waving, fist bumping and talking to anyone and everyone in the school hallways. He enjoyed school events and supporting the Maranacook Black Bears sport teams with family, friends and peers. Liam wasn’t an eager person to be outside, but he did enjoy swinging, swimming, going fast on the 4-wheeler, sledding and ice fishing (ice shacking) with family and friends. Liam tolerated day trips, short hikes and snowmobiling for mom and dad (haha). Liam was an old soul that always put other people first but was also his own best advocate, always having an opinion about his own care plan. As the iconic children’s author, Dr. Seuss, once wrote, “To the world, you may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world,” and Liam was indeed the world to his entire circle. Liam touched many lives in his short time.

“We’ll love you forever, we’ll like you for always, as long we’re living, our baby you’ll be.” – Robert Munsch

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the people who have taken care of, nurtured and loved Liam over his journey. To the many doctors, nurses, medical and educational team members, and friends your kindness will never be forgotten.

Predeceased by an uncle, Richard W. Coakley; grandfather, Richard J. Coakley.

He is survived by his parents, Joseph and Maryann Coakley of Mount Vernon; maternal grandparents, Dana and Judith Dunn, of Mount Vernon. paternal grandmother, Karen Hanson of Mount Vernon; great-uncle, Kurt Hanson, of Mount Vernon; great-grandmother, June Leighton of Mount Vernon; best friend, Delilah Rooney of Readfield; cousins Heather Roberts, Curt Dunn, Tammy Olson, Cobey Dunn, Xander Dunn of Mount Vernon; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visiting hours celebrating Liam’s life will be held on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A memorial service/celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the North Vienna United Methodist Church, 572 Town Rd., Vienna. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family by visiting the Roberts Funeral Home website http://www.KHRFuneralHomes.com

The family welcomes all guests that attend the celebration of life service to share a memory, a story, a song, words of remembrance or anything they would like to share about Liam.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Liam’s name to MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, supporting either the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or the Congenital Heart Disease program. Gifts may be made online at fundraising.mmc.org/bbch-donate-now or mailed to the address below. Please include Liam’s name and preferred gift designation in your message.

MHMMC Philanthropy

P.O. Box 1521

Portland, ME 04104