Philip Michael Coyne, 78, of Newton, passed away peacefully August 5, 2011 after a long battle with cancer at Brigham and Women’s Hospital with his family by his side.
Phil was born March 14, 1933, the son of the late Michael Coyne and Delia Ferrick Coyne. He spent his childhood in Milton, graduating from Milton High School in 1951. In 1953, during the Korean War, he enlisted in the Army and served on the front lines with the 5th Regimental Combat Team. Returning home in 1954, he entered Boston University and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
He married the love of his life, the late Frances (Traniello) Coyne, in 1959. They honeymooned in Bermuda, the first of what was to become a lifetime of shared travel adventures. In their years of marriage, they toured the United States with their three children, and spent many happy vacations on cruises to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, and memorable times with relatives in Ireland. They also frequently visited Cape Cod, New Hampshire and Vermont.
For most of his career, Phil worked in the newspaper advertising business, he loved his job and worked post retirement until shortly before his death,
Despite his work schedule, Phil found time for volunteering and many outside interests. His keen interest in photography led him to organize the Newton Camera Club in 1971 and serve as president from 1971 to 1973. He was president of the Norwood Kiwanis Club from 1983 to 1985 and an active member of the New England Press Association from 1980 to 1985.
A devoted family man, Phil became involved with the Boy Scouts in 1980 to spend more time with his son. He was a Boy Scout leader for the Norumbega Council Troop for ten years, from 1980 to1990 and remained active with the Boy Scouts long after his son had grown. In 2002, he received the Boy Scout Silver Beaver Award in recognition for his years of service. Active in Boy Scouts, Norumbega Council. He was District Commissioner for the Boy Scouts from 2002 to 2003.
One of Phil’s favorite volunteer jobs was his annual appearance as Santa Claus for the towns of Dedham and Norwood. Phil played Santa for 15 years from 1980 to 1995, delighting a generation of children.
Phil loved to travel, adored his grandchildren, and enjoyed gardening and watching classic films.
He is predeceased by his wife, Frances Traniello Coyne. He is survived by his daughter Frances Coyne Scanlon and her husband John Scanlon of Marlborough, son Phillip M. Coyne and his wife Laurie Holland of Woolwich, Maine, and daughter Darlene Coyne Tupta and her husband Christian Tupta of Sudbury, grandchildren Madison Coyne, Sean Scanlon, James Coyne, Matthew Scanlon, and Casey Tupta, and brother Jack (John) Coyne of Westport MA.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt.16) WELLESLEY, Tuesday, August 9th at 9 AM. Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Newton Centre, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Monday, August 8th from 4-8 PM. Burial with Military Honors will be held in Milton Cemetery, Milton. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.