Jerry Thomas Coyle

The family of Jeremiah “Jerry” Thomas Coyle sadly shares the news of his passing on May 20, 2026 at his home in Louisville, KY. Jerry was a dedicated family man and well respected leader in the aviation maintenance community. He was born on January 22, 1943 in Elizabeth, NJ where he attended St. Mary’s grammar school and high school, it was there that he met the love of his life and future bride JoAnn Ledwith. He and JoAnn were fabulous dancers and won jitterbug competitions while they were dating.

After graduating in 1961, Jerry spent four years in the Navy during which time he became a husband, father and helicopter mechanic. Upon his discharge, he and JoAnn moved back to NJ and he earned his jet mechanic’s license eventually settling down on Orchard St. in Rahway where they met lifelong friends and made countless great memories. Later Jerry would graduate from Kean College with a BA in business. From there he and JoAnn would go on to build an incredible life together filled with world travel and adventure. Jerry worked for Eastern Airlines as an aircraft mechanic and rose to be a District Manager. In 1986, Jerry and JoAnn moved to Louisville, KY for Jerry to begin a new adventure working with UPS. He retired in 2000 as UPS’s VP of Engineering and Aircraft maintenance. During his active years, Jerry traveled the world, told great stories and was an esteemed mentor who guided and promoted the careers of many of his peers.

Jerry was a very compassionate and civic minded man who appreciated giving back to the community. He coached youth sports, was a scout leader, and a member of the Knight’s of Columbus. Upon moving to Louisville, Jerry became a dedicated congregant at St. Albert the Great, Catholic Church. He and JoAnn were members of the Aces club where they met wonderful friends and created many great memories. Among his favorite things were family celebrations of Thanksgiving and Christmas and summer vacations with JoAnn, his children, and grandchildren. Having everyone together and celebrating the love of family was something he absolutely adored.

Jerry is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 63 years JoAnn Coyle, three children, sons Christopher and wife Jennifer, Timothy and wife Laura, and his daughter Colleen Coyle. He is also survived by his cherished cousin Gary Riccardelli - who was like a brother to him - and his wife Maureen and beloved brother in law, Thomas Ledwith. He had six beloved grandchildren - Sydney, Elizabeth, Grady and Rachel Coyle and Kyle Ericksen (Tiffany) and Kelsey Herrick (Will) - plus 4 great grandchildren: Ethan, Avery, and Nolan Ericksen and Henley Herrick. Jerry also had an abundance of dear cousins, nieces, nephew and lots of great friends.

He was predeceased by his mother and father Jerry and Ann Coyle.

Visitation will be from 4:00pm-7:00pm on Tuesday May 26th at Arch L. Heady & Son at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Road, Louisville Ky 40222. A Funeral Mass will take place 11:30am on Wednesday May 27th at St Albert the Great Catholic Church, 1395 Girard Dr, Louisville, KY 40222, with an hour of visitation starting at 10:30am before the Funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Vincent DePaul (https://www.svdplou.org/donate-now) and St. Jude Children's Hospital(https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html)