Dr. Thomas Philip Coyne, Sr.

Dr. Thomas Philip Coyne, 82, passed away with his family by his side at Carolina Rehab Center on November 4, 2017.  

He is survived by his wife, Hertha Hein Coyne; two children, Thomas P. Coyne, Jr. and Delores Phillips; seven grandchildren, Thomas Coyne, III, Hannah Coyne, Kirsten Coyne, Kelly Coyne, Timothy Coyne, Jared Phillips and Megan Phillips; one great grandchild, Carson Phillips; and his siblings, Pat Therien, Mary Mehrings (Gregory), Rita Swick (Ken) and Martin Coyne (Karen).

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Martin F. and Frances Coyne, brother, Philip Coyne, sister, Catherine Misar, a son-in-law, James Phillips; and grandchildren, Ariel Coyne and Annie Phillips.

He was born to Martin F. and Frances Coyne in Chicago, Illinois on June 2, 1935. Tom graduated from St. Mel High School in Chicago in 1953 and joined the Army that same year. Tom spent a total of 7 years in Germany, where he met his loving wife of 59 years, Hertha Hein Coyne.

He was known as "The Money Man" while serving 17 months with the Golden Knights (U.S. Army Parachute Team) as their administrative, finance, budget, and supply Officer, also narrating the show when they were on the road. He retired from the military in 1973 as a U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer (CW4), last serving as the Budget Officer for the 82nd Airborne Division.  He served in both the Dominican Republic and two tours in Vietnam, during which time he devotedly wrote a letter to his family every day.  Tom holds the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Master Parachutist's Wings, 2 Bronze Stars, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, 2 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Good Conduct Medals, 2 National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 2 Vietnamese Service Medals, and a Vietnamese Campaign Medal. 

Tom received his BA in Sociology from Campbell College in 1971, his MS in Sociology and Political Science from NC State University in 1975, and his Doctor of Education from Nova University in 1979. He taught Political Science and Sociology for 23 years at Fayetteville Technical Community College, the last 16 of which he served as Department Chairman of Social Sciences. In 1999 he entered the Fayetteville City Council race for District 9, knocking on numerous doors in the district to introduce himself. He was a lifelong Cubs fan. Tom never met an animal that he didn't try to feed, from stray dogs to the birds in the back yard. He loved his family dearly, providing for and protecting them, as he had proudly served to protect his country. 

Tom was a faithful member of St. Patrick Catholic Church of Fayetteville.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in St. Patricks Catholic Church with burial to follow at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.   The family will receive friends from 6 pm - 8 pm Monday November 13, 2017 at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation or St. Patrick Catholic Church of Fayetteville.

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