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February 20, 2013
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, February 24, 2013, 2–6 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Monday, February 25, 2013, from the funeral home, then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, Wayne, where at 10:30 AM a Funeral Mass will be held. Burial will follow at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes.
James J. Coyne, Jr. of Wayne died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013.
Raised in Ridgewood, Jim graduated from Ridgewood High School and earned a BS in Physical Education and an MS in Education from Niagara University. U.S. Army First Lieutenant Coyne served in Vietnam, receiving a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal, among other awards, and was later commissioned a Captain. Jim was proud of his time in the U.S. Army and remained a tireless advocate for American POW/MIAs throughout his lifetime, serving as president of the Bergen and Rockland counties chapter of the Vietnam Veterans for America. Jim always wore his POW/MIA bracelet and lived by the motto “Never Forget.”
Jim began his career with the Wayne Township schools. He influenced countless students during his years at Anthony Wayne, Wayne Hills, and Wayne Valley, where he taught physical education and health, coached football and track, and later became a guidance counselor. He was instrumental in bringing Project Adventure to the Wayne schools, a program he believed was key to helping students conquer their fears and gain self-confidence. Known as “tough but fair,” he enjoyed running into former students who would often express their gratitude for the inspiration and motivation he gave them.
Always adventurous, Jim loved being outdoors. He was a Certified Scuba Instructor and took students on diving trips to Lake Champlain; Lake George; Newport, Rhode Island; and the Caribbean. He was an avid skier, hiker, and bicyclist, and he scaled Cathedral Ledge on one of his many rock climbing excursions.
Jim continued his adventures as he and Kathi traveled throughout New England—especially to Vermont and coastal Maine—as well as the Midwest to visit Colleen in Chicago and Minneapolis. Even on the road, he had a stack of books by his side. An avid reader, especially of mystery and history, Jim enjoyed meeting different authors and collecting signed first editions. Jim never missed a chance to capture life’s moments, big and small, in photographs that he displayed alongside model trains in his den.
As he celebrated milestones, Jim also found happiness in everyday life: a good cup of coffee, a college football game on TV, a phone call from a friend. His faith was important to him as well, and for the past five years, Jim was a Eucharistic minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Unfailingly generous, funny, and loyal, Jim’s family and friends knew they could always count on his love and support.
Jim is survived by his wife Kathleen of Wayne; his daughter Colleen and her husband Bart Brinkman of Framingham, MA; his mother Ethel Coyne of Manahawkin; two sisters, Susanne and her husband Bill Driscoll of New Hampshire, and Jane and her husband Tom Helfrich of Germany; one brother, Michael Coyne of Florida; his brother-in-law, John Wasak of Wayne; and cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his father James and his sister Kathleen Ellis.
Memorial donations may be made to Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or visit their website to make a donation online at www.waynefas.com/donate.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, February 24, 2013, 2–6 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Monday, February 25, 2013, from the funeral home, then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, Wayne, where at 10:30 AM a Funeral Mass will be held. Burial will follow at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes.
February 20, 2013
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, February 24, 2013, 2–6 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Monday, February 25, 2013, from the funeral home, then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, Wayne, where at 10:30 AM a Funeral Mass will be held. Burial will follow at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes.
James J. Coyne, Jr. of Wayne died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013.
Raised in Ridgewood, Jim graduated from Ridgewood High School and earned a BS in Physical Education and an MS in Education from Niagara University. U.S. Army First Lieutenant Coyne served in Vietnam, receiving a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal, among other awards, and was later commissioned a Captain. Jim was proud of his time in the U.S. Army and remained a tireless advocate for American POW/MIAs throughout his lifetime, serving as president of the Bergen and Rockland counties chapter of the Vietnam Veterans for America. Jim always wore his POW/MIA bracelet and lived by the motto “Never Forget.”
Jim began his career with the Wayne Township schools. He influenced countless students during his years at Anthony Wayne, Wayne Hills, and Wayne Valley, where he taught physical education and health, coached football and track, and later became a guidance counselor. He was instrumental in bringing Project Adventure to the Wayne schools, a program he believed was key to helping students conquer their fears and gain self-confidence. Known as “tough but fair,” he enjoyed running into former students who would often express their gratitude for the inspiration and motivation he gave them.
Always adventurous, Jim loved being outdoors. He was a Certified Scuba Instructor and took students on diving trips to Lake Champlain; Lake George; Newport, Rhode Island; and the Caribbean. He was an avid skier, hiker, and bicyclist, and he scaled Cathedral Ledge on one of his many rock climbing excursions.
Jim continued his adventures as he and Kathi traveled throughout New England—especially to Vermont and coastal Maine—as well as the Midwest to visit Colleen in Chicago and Minneapolis. Even on the road, he had a stack of books by his side. An avid reader, especially of mystery and history, Jim enjoyed meeting different authors and collecting signed first editions. Jim never missed a chance to capture life’s moments, big and small, in photographs that he displayed alongside model trains in his den.
As he celebrated milestones, Jim also found happiness in everyday life: a good cup of coffee, a college football game on TV, a phone call from a friend. His faith was important to him as well, and for the past five years, Jim was a Eucharistic minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Unfailingly generous, funny, and loyal, Jim’s family and friends knew they could always count on his love and support.
Jim is survived by his wife Kathleen of Wayne; his daughter Colleen and her husband Bart Brinkman of Framingham, MA; his mother Ethel Coyne of Manahawkin; two sisters, Susanne and her husband Bill Driscoll of New Hampshire, and Jane and her husband Tom Helfrich of Germany; one brother, Michael Coyne of Florida; his brother-in-law, John Wasak of Wayne; and cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his father James and his sister Kathleen Ellis.
Memorial donations may be made to Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or visit their website to make a donation online at www.waynefas.com/donate.
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