OH: died Nov. 16th - Obit

[Shiloh]

Source: http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=136140288

ROBERT STEPHEN COYNE

COYNE ROBERT STEPHEN COYNE passed away at Cleveland Clinic, on November 16, of complications from H1N1, after a 27-day battle. He lost the battle, but won the war, as he is now rejoicing with the saints at the feet of his Savior, where he has heard the words he longed for: "Well done, my good and faithful servant." He was the beloved husband of his "D", Patricia for 35 years; the amazing daddy of Meg Coyne Popa "Cheety Bird" (George) and Jonathan Martin "Dog" (Jennifer); the beloved Papa of his mini-me, Brayden Robert "Tinkus Man" and Ellyse Birhane "Ewedechalu", whom he brought home from Ethiopia, in June; the beloved brother of Cathy Walczak, James, Brenda Petrich, Barbara, John, Martin, Michael, and Colleen Farine; the beloved uncle of many precious nieces and nephews; the beloved teacher and coach of immeasurably cherished students at Orange High School and the treasured friend of many. He's now home in GLORY-in one of the rooms his Savior spoke of in John 14:2. "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." A memorial celebration service will be held at Parkside Church, 7100 Pettibone Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, on Saturday, November 21, at 11 a.m. The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Abba House, 6800 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, GA 33028; The Way Out Prison Ministries, P.O. Box 27086, Akron, OH 44319; or My Charity: Water at mycharitywater.org/robert coyne. God is good. All the time. No matter what. www.RybickiFuneralHome.com

 

[JimO]

Re: OH: died Nov. 16th - Obit

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/chagrinsolonsun/index.ssf/2009/11/friends_family_mourn_orange_te.html

Friends, family mourn Orange teacher who died from swine flu
By Lindsay Betz, Sun News
November 27, 2009, 11:45AM

SOLON -- Almost 1,000 people came to Parkside Church Saturday to remember and pay tribute to Robert Coyne.

Coyne, 56, of Solon, died Nov. 16 at the Cleveland Clinic of complications from H1N1 virus.

He was an industrial technology teacher at Orange High School, where he worked for 25 years.

He held numerous coaching positions there over the years, most recently coaching the girls softball team.

?He was a very patient person,? his son Jonathan Coyne, 24, said. ?Most people probably wouldn?t say that was his number one trait. However, when he coached he was patient and compassionate.?

Jonathan said his father was a natural leader and ? whether he wanted to or not ? always ended up with a leadership role in any organization.

Computer teacher Erin Cingel said Coyne was not only her colleague, but also her friend and spiritual mentor.

She taught in the classroom next to him for 14 years and said although he sometimes came off as tough and brash, he was actually a caring man with a deep-rooted Christian faith.

?He was a man of great faith, and one of the things that I appreciate about him is that he never changed his colors, no matter who he was with,? Cingel said.

Jonathan Coyne agreed, saying his father always wore who he was right on his sleeve.

Cingel said she will always carry with her the lessons she learned from Coyne.

?He said, ?you stick by your faith, you don?t be ashamed of it and you be who you?re going to be no matter what,?? Cingel said.

After the school community learned of Coyne?s passing, Cingel said the initial reaction was one of shock and numbness.

Throughout the week students, staff and faculty began to share stories and grieve together.

She said some students made posters and wrote notes that were displayed at the memorial service. Some students talked to grief counselors and others turned to her for support.

?Many students have come over and talked to me,? Cingel said. ?I?ve cried with them and they?ve seen a different side to all of us, as teachers.?

A document, titled ?To Coyne a Phrase,? began circulating at the high school, cataloging some of Coyne?s more notable sayings.

?There?s no crying in baseball,? a quote from the movie ?A League of Their Own,? is on the list as a phrase he often repeated to his softball team.

Jonathan Coyne said his father was a lover of the great outdoors, and specifically enjoyed fishing, hunting and skiing.

Jonathan Coyne said his dad had a miraculous summer this year.

He was the best man in Jonathan?s wedding and traveled with his daughter Meg Coyne Popa to Ethiopia to adopt her daughter, Ellyse Birhane.

?He was very comfortable with life and death and the certainty of both,? Jonathan Coyne said. ?Quite frankly, he was very content with where his life had gone, what he had done and the impact he had.?

Jonathan said his father was a blunt man who always told the truth, but also had a goofy side.

?He loved to make people laugh,? he said.

Robert Coyne grew up in Garfield Heights, where he played football. He also played football at Kent State University and served four years in the Navy.

The school will continue to offer counseling to students and staff as necessary.

The Orange Foundation is discussing the establishment of a memorial fund in his name.

?Bob was the ultimate educator, friend and leader,? Superintendent Nancy Wingenbach said in a statement. ?His caring was great, his talent was applied, his humor was touching and he changed our lives with his living.?

Coyne is survived by his wife of 35 years, Patricia; his children Meg Coyne Popa and Jonathan Coyne; his grandchildren Brayden Robert and Ellyse Birhane; siblings Cathy Walczak, James, Brenda Petrich, Barbara, John, Martin, Michael and Colleen Farine; and nieces and nephews.