LEWISTON — Coyne Joseph Turcotte, 66, finally took a knee on Jan. 25, in his battle with pancreatic cancer, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Coyne was born Sept. 14, 1946, the only child of Edward Joseph and Rose (Cassista) Turcotte. He was named Coyne after his paternal grandmother, Mary Ellen “Stella” Coyne of County Mayo, Ireland. It was a name he bore with tremendous pride.

He attended St. Joseph’s School and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1964. He entered the University of Maine, Orono, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, played varsity football and was a member of the 1965 Tangerine Bowl football team.

After graduation, he began working for Bates Manufacturing Co. before starting a more than 40 year career in teaching and coaching. He began at St. Joseph’s School, teaching Social Studies and coaching basketball and baseball. He then entered the Lewiston Public School System, teaching Physical Education at Lewiston Junior High School, now Lewiston Middle School, until retiring in January 2012.

His high school football coaching career began at Orono High School and continued with stops at Telstar High School, Lisbon High School and finally at his alma mata, Lewiston High School. Highlights along the way were a State Class C Championship at Lisbon High School and a State Class A Championship at Lewiston High School.

More than the wins and championships were the many wonderful friendships established with players and fellow coaches, which have continued to the present.

In 1971, Coyne married the love of his life, Cheryl Ann Seaward of Kittery Point. They were blessed with three wonderful daughters and have spent the intervening years watching “their girls” become mature, loving parents raising their own families with love, discipline and tremendous pride just as they had been.

Coyne was a lifelong member of the former St. Joseph’s Parish, now Prince of Peace Parish. At St. Joseph’s, Coyne was a two term member of the Parish School Board and the “Dean of Discipline” for the CCD program for a number of years.

During his tenure in the Lewiston Public School System, Coyne was a member of the National Education Association, the Maine Teachers Association and the Lewiston Education Association, where he was a building representative for most of his time in the system. He was also a former member of the Lewiston Lodge of Elks and took great pride in his membership in the Maine High School Football Coaches Association.

Coyne is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Cheryl; three daughters, Mrs. Amy Elmore and husband, Gregory and their daughters, Abigail and Eleanor, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mrs. Sarah Landry and husband, Roger, and their children, Sage, Hunter and Gemma, of Lewiston and Ms. Meaghan Turcotte and significant other, Ryan Bolduc, and their children, Chloe, Gabrielle, Delainey and Ivy, of Turner.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Drs. Rifkin, Rausch, D’Augustine and Bisbal, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, and “his girls” at the infusion center for their expert care, love and constant support throughout his illness.

Donations, condolences, and a video tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.

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