Thomas J. Coyne

COYNE, THOMAS J., 90, of New Meadow Road, Barrington, passed away on November 19, 2008 at Atria Bay Spring Village. He was the husband of Roberta (Connolly) Coyne.

A native of South Providence and a 1938 alumnus of Central High School, Tom lived in Barrington since 1961.

An Army Veteran of World War II, he served with the Coast Artillery and with the First Army in the Battle of the Bulge and European Theatre. After being honorably discharged, Tom graduated from Boston University in 1949, and began a career as a sales representative for various freight forwarding companies, retiring from Burlington Northern Air Freight in 1983.

After his retirement, he took up the game of golf, and enjoyed winter trips to Sanibel Island, Florida.

He was a life member of the Providence Lodge of Elks #14, where he served as the club's treasurer. He was a former member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the American Legion and the Providence Traffic Club. In addition, during the 1950's, he was the musical director of the 'Tyler Minstrels' at Tyler School.

Besides his wife of 52 years, he is survived by his son's; Thomas and his wife Susan of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Gerald and his wife Cindy, of Barrington and Robert of Boulder, Colorado and his eight grandchildren; Katie, Patrick, Ian and Meghan Coyne of Barrington and Michael, Hallie, Austin and Caleb Coyne of Calgary, in each of whom he found great joy.

He was the brother of Austin P. Coyne of North Providence and the late John J. Coyne, Mary (Coyne) Dunn and Augustin Coyne. He was the son of the late Sabina (Duffy) and Patrick Coyne, and, after his parents' deaths, he was raised by his aunt, Katherine (Coyne) Affleck.

Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Luke Church, Washington Road, Barrington on Monday November 24, 2008 at 10 A.M. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket. Calling hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers and out of appreciation for the education he received as a youngster at Tyler School in South Providence, donations in Tom's memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Northeast Community, 15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island, 02864. Arrangements are under the direction of the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNER AL HOME, Riverside.