John F. Coyne, 91, of Fairhaven passed away Saturday June 29, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family and caregivers. He was the husband of Eileen (Sheehan) Coyne.
Born and raised in New Bedford, the son of the late Patrick J. and Julia (Daley) Coyne, he lived in Chicago and Cleveland before returning home, settling in Fairhaven. He had also wintered in Florida for many years.
Mr. Coyne had been employed as a sales executive for National Spinning Company in New York City.
He was a graduate of the University of Michigan, and was a loyal fan of Michigan football.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
Mr. Coyne was a longtime member of the New York Athletic Club and the Country Club of New Bedford.
He loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed the ocean, Friday night dinners at the M & C Cafe, traveling, and being around people. He loved life and lived it to the fullest.
He is survived by his loving wife; five daughters, Mary Ellen Gordon and her husband David of Littleton, Noreen Kavanaugh and her husband David of Needham, Julia Von Wahlde and her husband Matthew of Lincoln, Kathleen Peterson and her husband Peter of Needham, and Anne Jarvis and her husband David of Falmouth; two sisters, Helen Connor and Gertrude Bellevance, both of New Bedford; 13 grandchildren,Sarah and Matthew Gordon, Michael, Daniel, and Brian Kavanaugh and his fiancée Corrine, Laura and Alyona Von Wahlde, John, William, and Timothy Peterson, Bridget, Nora, and James Jarvis, several nieces and nephews; and his precious and loving caregivers.
He was the brother of the late E. Patrick Coyne, Francis Coyne, and Catherine Fitzgerald.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM at St. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472, for research for the benefit of his loving wife's illness. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.