Nicholas (Nick) E.B. Coyne, died suddenly at age 57 on August 3, 2018 in Libertyville, IL. Nick grew up in Evanston, IL and was a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 3. He spent his summers pursuing high adventure at Camp Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan in Pearson, WI; boxing consumed him in the winter months. After attending St. John's Military Academy, Nick graduated from Evanston Township High School, continuing on to Washburne Trade School's Electrical Apprenticeship Program. He joined Hyre Electric and his hand skills and ingenuity were imprinted on most jobs he touched from the top of the Sears Tower to his intricate wire knotting at World's Finest Chocolate.
Seventeen years ago, Nick combined his two great passions, helping people and horseback riding, to create Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding (www.horsefeatherscenter.org), a supportive treatment program for people of all ages and abilities. Nick's legacy was born of hard work and he lived by the principles he learned as an Eagle Scout; that nothing is impossible and you can do anything with nothing. His volunteers and staff were his backbone, and his riders brought him endless joy.
Nick was a lover of military history, an infectious adventurer, and a champion of the underdog; he was good for a story and a laugh, and he exhibited heinous behavior in the tollway backups at the Illinios/Wisconsin border. While an exceptional horseman, he was a fair bugler. He had a weakness for train sets and fire trucks, and an endless appetite for shrimp cocktail. Nick was a collector whose quests lie safely with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection. In 2014, he was awarded Scouting's highest volunteer honor, the Silver Beaver, for his positive impact on generations of Scouts. Nick's compassionate spirit lives on in his three children, George, Joe, and Meika, whom he treasured above all else.
Nick's mother, Anne Siewers Coyne, and Elsie, his irrepressible horse, preceded him in death. He is survived by his father John R. Coyne; sons, George Coyne (Emily Suarez-Junquera) and Joseph Coyne; daughter, Meika Fujii; sisters, Mari Coyne Blucher (Ed) and Julia Allen (Michael); nephews, Leo, Simon, and Peter Allen; niece Clara Blucher; girlfriend, Laura Geras; and Oliver, his Pomeranian guard dog.
Friends, family, and children are welcome to attend the funeral service on Saturday, September 29 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 121 E. Maple, Libertyville, Illinois, 60048.
Nick believed in the unlimited pleasure and benefits of time in the saddle and donations can be made in his name to Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding, 1181 Riverwoods Road, Lake Forest, IL. 60045 or to the Northeast Illinois Council, Boy Scouts of America, 850 Forest Edge Drive, Vernon Hill, IL 60061 (neic.org/donate/) in
support of The Ranch at Camp Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan.
