Obituary of Michael Coyne

Michael Luther Coyne, aged 71, Town of Tioga, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, nephew and cousin, passed away on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023 at the Robert Packer Hospital. He succumbed to unexpected complications of his kidney disease battle. His wife, Tina, was by his side as he took his final breaths and left his earthly journey for a new path unknown to all but him. Michael was born on February 8, 1952 in Utica, NY, to the late Bernard E. and M. June Calkins Coyne. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his best friend from high school, David, several family members, including a special cousin Paul Engle, his beloved dogs from childhood Dinky Woo and Trixie, and the dogs he loved as an adult, Cleatis, Elmer, and Buckman, his in-laws, George and Barbara (Root) Robinson and Darlene Chudyk, the mother of his daughter Heather. He is survived by his wife Tina L. Robinson Coyne, whom he met at the Owego Jamesway in 1987 and married in 1995 in Syracuse; their two children, Marinda and Joshua Coyne at home; his eldest daughter Heather M. Coyne, of Utica, and grandson Eduardo Fontanez Jr., his eldest son Cory Coyne and his wife Lori, and granddaughters Juliet and Chloe Coyne of Virginia, Tari Coyne-Horton the mother of his son Cory, his elder brother and his wife Bruce and Mary Coyne, of Clayton, aunts, uncles, cousins, including a special aunt and uncle, Elizabeth "Bette" and Ray Barron of Westmoreland, NY. Michael is also survived by his wife's family; Tim, Dan, Deana, Tom, and Denise and their families. He really enjoyed all the time he spent with his wife's family, but he had a very special place in his heart for his great nephew, Jaydenn Buffum, the last newborn he was able to hold. Michael graduated in 1970 from the Westmoreland Central High School. For many years he held the speed record in Track at Westmoreland. He once told the story that at one of the competitions, he ran the length he thought he was supposed to and stopped. Everyone started yelling at him to keep going. He laughed and started running again and he won the race even though he had stopped too soon. After graduation he pursued and earned a Philosophy Degree. His mother, June, said he wanted answers to his many questions, but the Philosophy course did not give him the answers he was seeking. Michael was a deep thinker on a level that many people could not fully understand. He then entered the military, completing Air Force Basic Training at the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, receiving special instruction in human relations. He was then assigned to the Technical Training Center at Keesler for specialized training in the air traffic field. After training he was stationed in the Philippines as an Air Traffic Controller. He received an honorable discharge in 1976. Michael worked at various jobs including his own picture framing business, wood mill (until he found he was allergic to the wood dust) and Jamesway where he met his wife, Tina, who he lovingly referred to as his workhorse, and in these later years said he was so thankful he had her to care for him. He attended Syracuse University, where he earned his Master of Library Science Degree. His wish was to eventually work in a military library. As fate would have it, he instead drove a long haul tractor trailer for over 20 years until a roll over in 2018 ended his driving career. Two years later his kidneys quit on him and dialysis was begun, then a cancer diagnosis. He fought so hard through it all but his body was worn out and this last bout became the fight he was not to win. Michael loved the outdoors; mowing the lawn, cutting wood, feeding the birds, fighting the squirrels, walking his dogs by the river, kayaking and skydiving were some of his favorites. The last three activities he loved even more when he and his son Cory did them together. He enjoyed reading, television, and music. Some of the books he spoke about the most were, "The Hero With A Thousand Faces", "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich", "Iliad", and "Beowulf". His favorite movie was "The Wind and the Lion". He and his son Joshua enjoyed finding B-movies and discussing the bad special effects and design. He enjoyed rewatching "Angry Birds 1&2", "Minions", "Moana", and "Sing 1&2" with his daughter Marinda. Historical documentaries were also programs he enjoyed watching. For music he enjoyed an assortment from his teenage years, as well as jazz, rhythm and blues, and violin. Michael once said he had always wanted to learn to play violin but had never pursued it which he admitted he regretted in later years. Video games were another much loved pastime, as well as a suggested activity by his doctors, due to his head injury in 2018. He enjoyed "Shadow of the Colossus", "Final Fantasy Tactics" and "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild", which he said was his absolute favorite. He was greatly anticipating the May release of "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom", which he was able to start, but only able to play for a very short time before his passing. Michael was an excellent storyteller. Each week his children would get to hear the newest chapter of their story from him. He also wrote several stories hoping perhaps he could earn a little money from them but he never did. Two of them are eBook only, "The Poseidon Project" and "The Book of Ludder". He also wrote "How Could We Have Known, What You Don't Know", and he had been working on a "Godzilla" Series, to be animated by a Japanese Animator he had contacted regarding his story line. Unfortunately now he will never get to finish it. Michael could hold a conversation with just about anyone. With children he would often have to tell them that he was not Santa even though he had a white beard. He was a handsome gentle giant who loved life and family and he will be forever loved and missed by his family and all who really knew him. Life will never be the same without him and we will see him in every aspect of this life he so enjoyed. To quote one of his favorite authors, "Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy," Joseph Campbell. Following Michael's wishes there will be no funeral services. His family will have a celebration of life at a later date. Rest in peace our beloved Michael. We love and miss you, now and forever.