Obituary for Terrence Edward "Terry" Coyne
North Adams native, Terrence (Terry) Edward Coyne, died while kayaking on Lake Ashmere on Friday, September 23, 2022, at the age of 83. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, athlete, scholar, and friend.
Terry was born in 1939 to Rose and William F. Coyne (former North Adams police chief). He lived in North Adams for nearly his entire life. Terry was a noted athlete in high school, earned his bachelor's degree from North Adams State College, and went on to attain a Ph.D. in History from Clark University. He taught courses in a broad array of disciplines at numerous area schools including North Adams State College, Southern Vermont College, Springfield College, Asnuntuck Community College, and others.
Terry was especially committed to, and proud of, his athletic pursuits. He began running competitively in the 70s and branched out to compete in canoeing, cross-country skiing, swimming, biking, kayaking, stationary rowing, biathlons, and triathlons. He coached track and cross country. He ran many marathons and several 50-mile ultramarathons. He was committed to exercising daily with weights, stairs, and outdoor pursuits. He rarely missed a day of working out for 50 years.
Terry said, "being a father and husband has been the best part of my life." He was married for 57 years to Deborah S. Coyne of North Adams, daughter of Robert H. Clark and Anna Jones. His older son, Michael D. Coyne lives in Storrs, CT with wife Susannah Everett. Their daughter, Rebecca Coyne, recently graduated from Williams College. Younger son, Daniel R. Coyne lives with husband, Michael Starr, in Haydenville, MA.
The family spent many happy days together this summer at their cottage in Hinsdale. Despite many health issues, Terry lived, played, and loved fully each day, and his family is grateful that he passed doing what he loved.
Please join our family for an open house celebration of Terry's life on Sunday, October 9, between 2:30-5:30, upstairs at the Freight Yard Pub in North Adams (https://freightyardpub.com/). In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Terry to his beloved Berkshire Family YMCA https://bfymca.org/support-y/ways-give/donate or to the Trustees of Reservations https://thetrustees.org/.
Terry was born in 1939 to Rose and William F. Coyne (former North Adams police chief). He lived in North Adams for nearly his entire life. Terry was a noted athlete in high school, earned his bachelor's degree from North Adams State College, and went on to attain a Ph.D. in History from Clark University. He taught courses in a broad array of disciplines at numerous area schools including North Adams State College, Southern Vermont College, Springfield College, Asnuntuck Community College, and others.
Terry was especially committed to, and proud of, his athletic pursuits. He began running competitively in the 70s and branched out to compete in canoeing, cross-country skiing, swimming, biking, kayaking, stationary rowing, biathlons, and triathlons. He coached track and cross country. He ran many marathons and several 50-mile ultramarathons. He was committed to exercising daily with weights, stairs, and outdoor pursuits. He rarely missed a day of working out for 50 years.
Terry said, "being a father and husband has been the best part of my life." He was married for 57 years to Deborah S. Coyne of North Adams, daughter of Robert H. Clark and Anna Jones. His older son, Michael D. Coyne lives in Storrs, CT with wife Susannah Everett. Their daughter, Rebecca Coyne, recently graduated from Williams College. Younger son, Daniel R. Coyne lives with husband, Michael Starr, in Haydenville, MA.
The family spent many happy days together this summer at their cottage in Hinsdale. Despite many health issues, Terry lived, played, and loved fully each day, and his family is grateful that he passed doing what he loved.
Please join our family for an open house celebration of Terry's life on Sunday, October 9, between 2:30-5:30, upstairs at the Freight Yard Pub in North Adams (https://freightyardpub.com/). In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Terry to his beloved Berkshire Family YMCA https://bfymca.org/support-y/ways-give/donate or to the Trustees of Reservations https://thetrustees.org/.