Mayor John M. Coyne

Age 97. Devoted husband of the late Ruth "Jean" (nee Brophy). Loving father of John M. Jr. (Jeanette), Penny Dixon (James E.), Edward (Mary), and James P. (Graciela). Dear grandfather of James Dixon Jr, Debra Dixon, Marlene Coyne, Kathy Coyne, Eileen Dennis, John M. Coyne III, Edward Coyne, Renee Kirlough, Don Coyne. Great grandfather of 15. Brother of the late Bridget Kohler, James Coyne, Thomas Coyne, Mary Roth and Agnes O'Connell. Passed away Monday July 21, 2014. Memorials may be forwarded to the John M. and Ruth Jean Coyne Endowed Scholarship for Public Service at Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue Suite UR228, Cleveland, OH 44115. Prayer service at the Funeral Home Friday July 25 at 9:15am and the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas More Church, 4170 N. Amber Road, Brooklyn, OH at 10:00am. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 4334 Pearl Road, Cleveland, from 11am-2:00pm and 4:30pm-8:00pm Thursday July 24. 216-741-7700 A Lifetime of Distinguished Service Mayor John M. Coyne • 1948-1999 Mayor City of Brooklyn, Ohio Holds Record for Longest Serving Mayor for a U.S. City (Consecutive Terms) • 1942-1947 Clerk-Auditor City of Brooklyn, Ohio • 1940-1941 Treasurer City of Brooklyn, Ohio Awards & Distinctions • Doctor of Humane Letters (Honorary) (1998), Cleveland State University • John M. and Ruth Jean Coyne - Endowed Public Service Scholarship (1997), Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University • Honorary Director and Player of the Year (1995), USA Toy Library Association • Party Chairman, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party (1982-93), 13th Largest County in the U.S.; Five Consecutive Terms • Board Member (1990-91), Cuyahoga County Board of Elections • Hall of Fame Inductee (1987), Brooklyn High School • Ohio Supreme Court, Citizens Member of Rules Advisory Committee (1982-85), Appointed by Chief Justice Frank D. Celebrezze • Irish Good Fellowship Club Award (1984) • Man of the Year (1983), Waterford Society • Regional Transit Authority (1981-82), Suburban Representative for Greater Cleveland on Board of Trustees • First Recipient of the Ernest J. Bohn Award (1977), N.E. Ohio Chapter of the American Society for Public Business • President (1959-60), Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association • Board Member (1972-87), Deaconess Hospital Board of Trustees Other Achievements Safety Pioneered legislation positioning Brooklyn, Ohio as the vanguard of public safety initiatives: • Cell Phone Law (1998): Restricted use of hand-held cell phones while driving. • Assault Weapon Ban and Mandatory Waiting Period (1989): Legislation prohibiting possession of certain assault weapons and mandating a 10-day waiting period for transactions. • Mandatory Seat Belt Law (1966): Brooklyn, Ohio, was the first city in the U.S. with a seat belt law. Similar Laws have since been adopted across the nation and around the world, saving thousands of lives. Community Development • Initiated plans for one of the first regional Multipurpose Recreation Centers, opened April 11, 1975. • Offered cost-effective independent living, sustaining programs and activities for Brooklyn Seniors, including grass cutting, snow removal, and transportation. • Secured approximately $14 million in federal, state, and county grants and financial assistance funds for roads, sewers, water lines, parks, playgrounds, recycling and solid waste management, economic development and public safety. • On behalf of the citizens of Brooklyn, demonstrated remarkable vision and real-estate expertise by securing widespread tracts of land on exceptional terms; acreage on which the Municipal Center, Memorial Park, Senior Center, Sanitary Land Fill, Commons, Recreation Center and Natatorium, Brock and Marquardt Parks are currently located • Co-founded Parma Community General Hospital to provide nearby access to quality, affordable health care. Hospital groundbreaking in September 1958. • Spearheaded idea and fundraising for a Toy Library within the newly constructed Brooklyn Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. The library opened in 1992. Environment • Mandatory Curbside Recycling Program (1990): Brooklyn was the first city in Cuyahoga County and the second in the State of Ohio to have a mandatory recycling program.