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WILLIAM J. COYNE
1936 - 2013
WILLIAM J. COYNE
1936 - 2013
Obituary
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WILLIAM COYNE Obituary
The Honorable William J. Coyne, former member of the United States House of Representatives, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2013, at the age of 77. Born in Pittsburgh on August 24, 1936, he was the son of the late Philip A., Sr. and Mary Ridge Coyne. A lifelong resident of the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, he graduated from Central Catholic High School and received a B.S. Degree in Accounting from Robert Morris University. He proudly served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1955 to 1957, then returned to Pittsburgh to work as a corporate accountant. He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973 and was a member of Pittsburgh City Council from 1974 to 1980. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1980, where he represented the 14th Congressional District of Pennsylvania for 22 years until his retirement in January 2003. As a member of Congress, he served on the House Ways and Means Committee, and represented that committee for five years on the House Budget Committee. He also served on the House Banking Committee, the Committee on House Administration, and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, known unofficially as the House Ethics Committee. He is survived by his devoted longtime companion, Kathy Kozdemba; his brother, Philip A. Coyne, Jr.; his sister-in-law, Mary Margaret Rooney Coyne; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins in the United States and County Galway, Ireland, where he also had a home. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Sara George, Rita Boxheimer, Mary Castle, Margaret Foley, and his brother, P. James (Jim) Coyne. Friends will be received at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., 4900 Centre Ave. at Devonshire, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. Funeral Thursday, Mass of Christian Burial, St. Paul Cathedral, 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to WQED Public Television, 4802 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, WESA-FM Public Radio, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 or La Roche College, 9000 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
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Diana Kresovich
November 17, 2013
So sorry to learn of Bill's passing. He was a very kind and good man. Always a gentleman. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to know him. My deepest sympathy to the Coyne family.
Jeff & Cindy Corbett
November 12, 2013
We want to offer our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Bill was a good friend to my father for many, many years. He will be missed.
Dan Colclaser
November 8, 2013
Kathy and the entire Coyne Clan. My best to all of you thru these sad times. Seated right next to Bill in our Senior year at Central Catholic I used to "peek" at his test's as he was really smart and I needed a little extra help. He was very generous in sharing! Later in life we would visit in DC during election years and Bill would invite some of his old schoolmates to share in his reelection successes. There were a lot!!! Good times and great memories of a great American. RIP.
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Nora Belcher
November 7, 2013
To Kathy, Phil and family,In loving memory of my dear cousin,Deepest symphathy from Nora and Ronald
Bridget McEvilly
November 7, 2013
Kathy,Phil and all the Coyne family.Our deepest symphathy on your loss,So sorry.
John Holleran
November 7, 2013
Billy Coyne will be missed. I literally
bumped into him this summer at the Carneige Library, as usual he had a grasp of the issues and always had a positive view point. Just a great guy! I want to express my deepest sympathies to Phil and Kathy.
John Holleran
Sister Rita Yeasted
November 6, 2013
To Kathy and the Coyne Family: My sincere sympathy. I was always proud to be represented by Bill Coyne. Years ago he came to talk to my journalism class at La Roche. He was always gracious and unassuming, and more concerned for his constituents than himself or his party affiliation.
Thanks, Bill, for your many years of service.
Andrea Milinkovic
November 6, 2013
Kathy, Phil and all the Coyne Family. My deepest sympathy on your loss. Bill was one of Oakland and Pittsburgh's finest and I will always remember him and the admiration my Dad and our family had for him. May his memory be eternal.
Fondly,
Andrea (Gecy) Milinkovic
The O'Leary Family
November 6, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to Kathy, Phil and family. Congressman Coyne was a dear friend to our family and a man of great integrity. We are privileged to have had him be part of our lives. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
With much love.
Jim Boyle Boyle
November 6, 2013
Bill was a great Central Catholic guy and also a great representative for the 14th. One time I asked him to look into a problem at the Oakland VA and very shortly it is was resolved.
Jim Boyle (Central "58")
November 6, 2013
We were so very sorry to hear of Bill's passing and we will always remember our two wonderful trips to Ireland with Bill and Kathy. May God Bless Kathy, Phil and all the family in during this time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Joe and Mary Ann Foley, Raleigh, NC
November 6, 2013
Bill was a great Central Catholic guy and also an excellent representative for the 14TH. One time I requested that he look into some problems at the Oakland VA and the situation was resolved. Sympathy to family and friends.
Jim Boyle (Central "58")
November 6, 2013
To the family of WILLIAM J COYNE I send my sincere condolences. During this difficult time I hope you draw comfort from the GOD of comfort. ISAIAH 61:1,2.
sincerely.
Ms Carruth/123
Jim Ellenbogen
November 6, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
David Hughes
November 6, 2013
Oh, how we need politicians like Billy Coyne today! Supportive thoughts from fellow Oaklanders/Cathedral/Centralites to the Coyne family. Dave Hughes and the Hughes family.
Stacy Constantinou
November 5, 2013
"Billy" Coyne was an outstanding man who lived by the principles he stood for. He was a good friend of my father, John Petrolias. I had the honor of serving as a staff aid intern in the Pittsburgh office for 2 summers. My parents and I are deeply saddened at the loss of a truly, one in a million, great man!
Thomas Graziani
November 5, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Bill's Family...A great man, who served our U.S. and It's citizens well. Thank you for your service,Sir. Rest in Peace
Pat O'Malley
November 5, 2013
Mr. Coyne was a good, honest, decent man who served his constituents, and his country, well.
I wish there were more like him.
Mike Scanlon
November 4, 2013
To the Family & Friends of Billy Coyne:
I was deeply saddened to hear of Billy's passing. He was a very special human being and a dear friend. I have many fond memories of playing basketball (we were much younger) and golf. Billy served his constituents, his community and his country with honor and distinction. He will be sorely missed. He and all of you are in my prayers.
Janet Blank
November 4, 2013
I met Congressman Coyne when I was a guard at the University of Pittsburgh. He used to run when ever he could up at Fitzgerald Fieldhouse and we used to talk. He was a very caring and sweet man. I will never forget him. He will be missed by many.
November 4, 2013
prayers to Bill and the family. Tim Rooney
Ed & MaryRita Coyne
November 4, 2013
We were really saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He was a sincere & caring person that was always living his faith as well as doing the job that he liked so much. We will miss him. Our sympathy & prayers to Kathy, Phil & family.
Ted & Tina Andrews
November 4, 2013
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Joanna DeMaris
November 4, 2013
Saddened to learn of Bill's passing. My Sincerest Condolences to Phil, Kathy and the Coyne and Ridge families.
Michele Barrett
November 4, 2013
Bill Coyne, was an Exceptional Man.He has left behind many, many happy memories, for all of us to look back on and smile.Always caring for Others, and never thinking of himself...He was one of a Kind, and will be missed by all Family and Friends, who knew him well.
May all the Hearts that Billy's life touched, soon,be filled of wonderful Memories of Bill, and all the joy he brought into our lives, as we Celebrate a Life well Lived~~
Love & Prayers
Michele Barrett& Family
Hopper Family
November 4, 2013
May God Bless Your Family
In This Time Of Sorrow.
Our Deepest Sympathy To The
Coyne Family.
Tom and Mona Murphy
November 4, 2013
Bill had a quiet strength that allowed him to stand tall in all facets of his life. In the field of politics where candidates vie for attention, Bill was able to make an impact without making the noise. Loving Bill was easy to do. He will be missed.
Pat Demaris
November 4, 2013
Dear Phil, Kathy, Mary Margaret and all the Coyne and Ridge families,
Katie and I are so sad to learn of Billy's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Anne Saul
November 4, 2013
Dear Kathy and the Coyne family: So very sorry to hear about Bill. He was a kind, generous man who served his country long and well. I am glad I had the opportunity to know him. My deepest sympathy.
Ray Allen
November 4, 2013
Sympathy & kindest regards to Bill Coyne's family & very many friends wherever they may be. God bless 1 & all. Take care.
Hopper Family
November 4, 2013
Our Deepest Sympathy To The Coyne Family.
Phil and Joan Currie
November 4, 2013
Kathy and Coyne Family: Bill was a wonderful man -- warm, kind, good -- and his death is a sad loss for everyone. He cared deeply about people and about his country, and he served both well. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to you.
Josie Santapietro
November 4, 2013
So saddened and shocked to hear of Bill's death. Know that he is in my prayers as are you Kathy.
Marie Scotty
November 4, 2013
My sincere sympathy and prayers to family. God Bless.
Elaine Ridge Killeen
November 4, 2013
My thoughts are with you.
Joanne Gigliotti
November 4, 2013
My deepest sympathies to the Coyne family.
Billy was a great politician and wonderful congressman. I as the wife of Rep. Frank Gigliotti at that time knew how very special he was to all through a tumultuous time in South Hills politics. May he rest in peace.
Joanne Gigliotti
Frances Haser
November 4, 2013
I was so sorry to read of Mr. Coyne's passing. I was a democratic committee person years ago and still have the picture of John F Kennedy that Mr. Coyne sent to all of us for Christmas. He was a kind and generous man. May he rest in peace in Heaven.
Mary O Connor
November 4, 2013
Kathy,Phil and all the Coyne Family. In Loving Memory of a wonderful cousin. Deepest Sympathy From Cousin Mary, John and Family, Porridgetown, Oughterard Ireland
Ernie Varhola
November 4, 2013
Bill was a great guy that did not know the word no. He was available to help his friends and constituents. Always a gentleman.
George Morin
November 4, 2013
Kathy and the entire Coyne clan, please accept my deepest sympathy. Billy was a great friend and a wonderful classmate at St. Paul's and Central Catholic. George Morin
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4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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