Retirement has this man singing

Mr. Coughtry was a good boy, a nice boy, a swell boy from St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet, where his music career began in grade school.

"My teacher pushed a few notes on the piano," he recently told The Evangelist. "If we could sing them, we were in the choir. If not, we were an altar boy."

Singing career

After graduating from Watervliet High School and serving two years in the Navy, Mr. Coughtry studied business at Siena College in Loudonville. His career prevented him from fulfilling a dream: moving to a warmer climate.

"I always wanted to live in Florida; I do not like the cold," he said. "All of my opportunities in business were [in the North]. I moved around from New York to Boston to Chicago."

Going south

"I always wanted to bring music to the Catholic Church," he said, so he volunteered to play the piano and organ for three weekly Masses at Holy Redeemer parish in Palm City. He also accepted an invitation to lead the choir, which now has 55 members, most of whom are also retired.

"The Lord has been very good to me," Mr. Coughtry said. "I wanted to give something back, which is why I do music and donate my time to the Church."

Old Mills stream

There was an ocean that the Silvertones crossed and a mountain that they climbed before the group had their loss -- which was more than time: Prior to one performance, tenor Tom Rosato suffered a heart attack. He was replaced by Bob Brown from Michigan.

"He learned five songs in one week for our variety show," Mr. Coughtry said. (Mr. Rosato is "having the time of his life now," enjoying his golf.)

Final touch

"By playing a keyboard into a computer, he can sequence a whole 17-piece Big Band or a symphony orchestra," said Mr. Coughtry. "He puts together all our arrangements electronically."

Mr. Bestor now accompanies the Silvertones on their tours, such as the one that will bring them to Schenectady.

Harmonizing

His favorite tune by the Mills Brothers is "Up a Lazy River," which "I think it is the most perfectly arranged tune that I have ever heard. It starts off as a ballad and ends up flying. But the tempo never changes; it's all done with the vocal arrangements of the Mills Brothers."

The Silvertones threw away their troubles and dreamed a dream that came true two years ago when they got to meet the Mills Brothers. "It was the highlight in our music career," said Mr. Coughtry.

The Silvertones received a standing ovation after they performed the opening act at the Mills Brothers Society's three-day convention. "Seated in the middle of the first table was Donald Mills," said Mr. Coughtry. The 84-year-old singer (who has since died) and his son John performed after the Silvertones, autographing their microphone.

Religion and song

"The Lord really leads me in everything," he said. "I'm not just saying that; He really does so much good to me!"

Mr. Coughtry refers to the Bible and prays daily with his life's companion, Marge, a native of Sacred Heart Church in Troy.

"We let the Lord lead us," he said. Mr. and Mrs. Coughtry have five children.

Staying busy

"I feel like a young 70," he said. "I do an awful lot and stay busy."

Asked about the future of the Silvertones, he replied: "That's where faith comes into play. I'll let the Lord lead me on that!"

(Editor's note: The Silvertones will perform at Proctor's Theater in Schenectady, Sept. 24, 3 p.m., with comedian Don Richards. Ticket can be ordered by calling 346-6204. This article contains references to six popular songs sung by the Mills Brothers. Can you name them? See the sidebar for the answer.)

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