Craig Daniel Coyne

Craig Daniel Coyne was born on September 21,1960 to his parents Joseph and Alice Coyne, joining his four older brothers, Richard, Joseph, Kevin and Keith. He was raised in West Nyack, New York, near the Hudson River, just a stone's throw from the Big Apple, or as he liked to say...at the foot of the Tappan Zee Bridge. His neighborhood was dotted with some old-time actors, poets, and artists, along with lots of playmates and good family friends. His childhood home included a large yard with a pool that doubled as a skating rink in the winter and a stream which ran through the far end of back yard. There was a large wooded area directly across the street which made it an ideal spot for outdoor adventures growing up. The woods eventually became the site for his future High School. All in all it was a wonderful place to grow up and from the beginning gave rise to many deep and lasting friendships.

As a teenager Craig was gifted a guitar by his parents and the rest is history. The guitar became his lifelong passion. He spent countless hours listening to the music of his youth. He practiced for long hours in his bedroom and in the woods across the street trying to replicate and perfect every note and chord he was hearing. His Mom signed him up for guitar lessons but that didn't last long after she was told by the instructor that he would never be any good. Ha! So wrong! Craig persevered and put together bands with other musically inclined friends in High School. They became very popular and were asked to play all of the school parties. One of his early bands, The Lost Boys, would still reunite over the years to play in the Nyack area and most recently played a couple of shows on Hilton Head in April of 2024, wowing with their improvisational style of delivering masterpieces by The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and more.

At the age of 17 Craig moved across the country to San Francisco where he continued his musical journey. There he was able to see The Garcia Band in a small venue 40 nights in a row, continuing his musical education. He worked at a bus station to support his stay there and spent days off playing guitar in Golden Gate Park. Eventually he moved back east and went on the see Jerry Garcia and company...The Grateful Dead... around 400 times according to his math.

Craig went on to play in many bands in the New York area as well as touring, Stir Fried and The Wheel to name a couple. Being close to NYC and later residing on the Lower East Side, he was not only able to find an audience for his music but also to attend the concerts of pretty much all of his musical heroes. It would be hard to name a band from that era that he had not seen at least once. Craig loved all things New York...the Mets, the Giants, the Rangers, the pizza, and the bread from Rockland Bakery in particular!

Craig did not choose an easy path, but music was his calling and he was compelled. It was the only path in life he could imagine and he called it the blessed curse. He took some "day" jobs along the way. He worked the overnight shift at a bakery, worked as a brick mason, worked for an ice company, delivering ice down to Ground Zero during the 911 cleanup. He installed new windows at Sing Sing prison. One of his favorite jobs was working for the National Hockey League which enabled him to be in the locker room with the NY Rangers on the night they won the Stanley Cup. He took a detour to Dallas Texas for a stint as a bartender at The Playboy Club which was managed by his brother Keith.

Craig became a father to his son Richard Alfred Coyne (Ricky) on November 17, 1987. Again New York served him well. He was able to take Ricky to see what the city had to offer. The Museum of Natural History was a clear favorite. He was always proud to say that Ricky's first concert as a small child was Simon and Garfunkel in Central Park.

In many ways Craig lived a serendipitous life. He was able to play music with many really talented players. He was able to tour with Vassar Clements, played with Jorma (Hot Tuna) and opened for B.B. King and The Band. He was in a band with Buddy Cage from New Riders. His band played the Woodstock reunion at Bethel Woods. He opened up solo for Leon Russell at the Helen Hayes Theater and got a standing ovation. Best of all he was fortunate to have a perchance conversation with Jerry Garcia backstage at Madison Square Garden.

When Craig tired of touring and the big city life he moved to Hilton Head where his parents had retired. Hilton Head became home to his other brothers and his son as well. He quickly became an integral part of the local music community. He teamed up with Gary Pratt and they formed a duo called the Jalapeno Brothers, He went on to play in Spare Parts, an incredibly talented local band and Shakey Bones, a much beloved Grateful Dead tribute band, The Wrong Way Up, Hambone, Hara the Dog, Drifters Escape, and too many others to name. Bands, trios, duos, and solo performances, he likely played a song or two with just about every musician on Hilton Head Island. Craig Coyne became a household name among the island music lovers, revered for his talent and passion...and also for his smiles and hugs. Craig was widely known for his improvisational skills on the guitar which he showcased in all of his endeavors. Key Theory was one of his last musical collaborations. He leaves classic rock in the hands of some fine young musicians.

In his latter years the guitar was always within arm's reach. He would grab it at any given time to perfect a song he was working on or act on some new inspiration. He wrote songs, dabbled in painting, and honed his culinary skills, making delicious creations out of whatever ingredients were on hand "Chopped" style. He planted and tended the balcony garden and kept the neighborhood birds fed and watered. Craig was a kind and gentle soul whose policy was to never harm a living creature but rather capture and release to the outdoors even the tiniest intruding insect (or the biggest intruding palmetto bug!).

Craig was a very spiritual man. He had a strong faith in God and was a true believer in Jesus Christ. He was unafraid of death, certain that there was a new awakening waiting at the end of the day. Craig attended Holy Family Catholic Church the last couple of years of his life. He was able to receive Holy Communion almost every day during his hospitalization which brought him great comfort. (A heartfelt thanks to St Francis hospital ministry) His ardent wish was to pass at home rather than at the hospital and on May 20, 2025 he made it home just in time. His brief two-month long battle with cancer ended very abruptly. Craig was interred at the Columbarium at St Francis Church alongside his parents and three of his brothers on July 16, 2025. There will be a Celebration of Life in his honor on October 26 at Celebration Park. I hope all of you will come and some of you will play him a song.

Craig had a deep love for all of his family members. My hope is that he is reunited in the afterlife with his parents Joseph and Alice, and his brothers Joseph, Richard, and Kevin. He leaves behind his son Richard Coyne (Alexis Blanchard), his granddaughter and apple of his eye Charlotte Coyne (Charli), his brother and sister-in-law Keith Coyne and Debra Coyne, his nephew, Keaton Coyne, and his life partner, Isabel Mangan. He also leaves behind a host of fans, friends, and musical soulmates. He will be always remembered and sorely missed.

Fare Thee Well...We love you more than words can tell...Forever in our hearts