John "Emmett" Coyle

John Emmett Coyle, 82 of Kingston, passed peacefully at home March 25th after a long illness related to AL Amyloidosis. The oldest of 8 born to Irish parents and raised in Dorchester, John loved pickup games of half ball, tinkering on cars, a trip to the Rexall soda fountain for a cherry coke and jumping off the Malibu beach bridge to swim in Dorchester Bay with his siblings. He was proud to be “OFD”, and the memories and friendships he made there always brought him joy. John went on to serve on the icebreaker USS ATKA AGB-3 as a radioman traveling to the North Pole and South Pole and many places in between - New Zealand, Panama Canal, Iceland, Greenland, Strait of Gibraltar and The Drake Passage were just a few of the places he experienced. He forever loved travel as a result of his experience in the Navy, and later earned his private pilots license to further his sense of adventure, often found every Sunday with his flying friends at one New England’s airport breakfast fly ins.

John married Barbara Morani in 1968, the two met when she brought her brand new 1963 baby blue Chevy Impala in to be fixed where he worked as a mechanic. John asked her if she would join him for a pizza later that day. John wanted to tell Barbara there was nothing wrong with her car and the owner was “taking her for a ride”. John and Barbara would enjoy dinner shows at Blinstrobs, drive in movies, trips to Revere Beach and Sunday drives. The couple renovated their first apartment in East Boston the year they were married, and later settled in Kingston after the birth of their first child. Their first house was one of a handful that John and Barbara would make into a home, renovating and upgrading inside and out. John proved to be quite the natural handyman, able to take on any kind of home improvement that came his way.

John’s career was always centered around cars and trucks, one of his first passions. He taught himself to drive at age 14 “borrowing” the family car during a family baptismal event, only to be flagged down by his father. John was hooked and always had a car to work on or restore and passed that love on to his only son Jim and nephew Liam. John was a decades long employee and supervisor of transportation for Commonwealth Electric. His work ethic and problem solving did not go unnoticed, he made many lifelong friends during his tenure.

John was very proud of his Irish heritage, his origins being from County Leitrim and Donegal. Trips to his parents’ hometowns along with his oldest daughter were one of highlights of his life. The simplest things during his trips made him the happiest, sharing a pint or a few drams of Jameson’s with his beloved cousins, while listening to a local session – more so if it was with his Dwyer cousins. Sitting in front of a peat fire, visiting the local pub, or “Duignans” in Drumsna, or “Farrens” in Malin Head where local family often gather, and driving the countryside taking it all in.

John loved his Sunday dinners, a traditional Turkey dinner and apple pie was a favorite, (especially if it was made by his middle daughter Nancy). Roast beef was a close second, and he shared a bite of every meal with his dog. Ice cream was often a daily treat, John never met a sweet he did not like. Irish bread, Scones and Oatmeal Raisin cookies were his comfort food. Reading was a lifelong past time, as were John Wayne movies and shows such as “Gunsmoke”, “Bonanza”, “Chicago Fire” and especially “Blue Bloods” - simply for how the family gathered for Sunday dinner and life discussions. John was someone who would hardly say no when someone needed help, or he saw someone in distress, he wanted to leave people and things better than he found them - and often succeeded, a trait he possessed from an early age. A devout Catholic, John attended the same church, St. Paul’s in his hometown of Dorchester throughout his life as much as he could, finding solace and reminiscing with his siblings, children and grandchildren who would join him on occasion for a tour of a special place and part of his childhood memories. John was an altar boy and later went to Columban’s Brothers private school for Boys in Buffalo, New York. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years.

John, or “Emmett” as he was more affectionately known by his family, was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Inlaw and instant friend to everyone who came to know him. He was a gentle giant, a true Irishman who was known to be a man of few words at times, but usually had a well thought out response ruminate on if it was an important issue to him. He could be shy, occasional Irish goodbyes, but his wife Barbara made up for his shyness and he leaned in for her to take the lead. John was the beloved Husband of the late Barbara Ann Coyle (nee Morani), together once again after more than 58 years together.

He is sorely missed by his three children, and expressed how very proud he is of each of them for their work ethic, and commitment to family: Barb Coyle Francke and her Husband Eric of Plymouth, Nancy Turner and her Husband Peter of Kingston, and Son Jim and his Wife Kristin of Bridgewater. John recently stated he could not wish for a better partner for each of his children, and his wife had agreed. Being a Grandfather was John’s most treasured role of all - Cameron, Liam, Braeden and Cecilia Turner as well as John (his namesake) and Jeffrey Coyle were the shining stars of his universe. “Papa” as he was lovingly known, could not have been more proud of each of his grandchildren for sharing their many passions and frequently visiting. John always loved babies and brought himself down to the level of a child to joke and tease and interact, and he could not wait to see his grandchildren and interact with them as they grew through life experiences.

Babe, his faithful Yorkshire Terrier companion and fierce guard dog, was a force to be reckoned with if you got in her way - her spot was in Johns lap. John was the proud son of the late John and the late Cecilia Coyle, and cherished sibling of Frank Coyle and his wife Gerry of Osterville, Anne Coyle of Needham, Kathleen Coyle of Malden, Kevin Coyle of Needham, Richard Coyle and his wife Denise of Medway, Mary and her husband John Danehy of Pembroke, and Paul Coyle and his wife Debbie of Marshfield. John is also survived by many inlaws, nieces, nephews as well as many cherished friends and neighbors. John especially adored his cousins in Ireland, England and Scotland, more so spending time with them in person or via video call.

John will be sorely missed, and his family asks that you raise a glass and an Irish toast (preferably Jamesons) to him and Barbara Sr. as they are reunited once again at the pearly gates.

An Irish Wake / Celebration of Life will soon follow to raise a glass to John and enjoy a special time in his honor. Details to be announced soon by his children.

Visiting hours in the Sullivan Funeral Home, 551 Washington Street Rte. 53, Hanover, on Thursday, March 30th from 4-7PM. Funeral Mass to be celebrated at Holy Family Parish at St. Paul's Church, 24 Hartford Street in Dorchester at 11AM on Friday, March 31st.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation Kingston Animal Shelter, 28 Evergreen Street Kingston, MA 02364 in honor of John.