Obituary of Thomas Coyne

Thomas Michael 'Tommy’ Coyne, 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. He was the retired President and Chairman of the Board of Coyne Textile Services and a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Tommy was born on March 1, 1938, in Syracuse, New York. He was the son of J. Stanley and Jessie Cardwell Coyne Adams. He attended The Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut, and graduated from Hatch Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island. He attended The University of New Hampshire, where he played football. In 1958, he joined the United States Army serving in Korea.  After his discharge from the Army, he served a four-year apprenticeship with R.A. Kaesbey Company becoming a master mechanic, which led to serving the Fossil Fuel #5 Plant in Oswego, New York, for five years. He earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed many solo flights.

In 1977, Tommy joined his family business Coyne Industrial Laundry, which later became Coyne Textile Services. He served initially as general manager of Syracuse operations ultimately becoming Chairman of the Board, a position he held until 2012.

Numerous boards and organizations benefited from Tommy’s leadership. He was a board member of the Textile Rental Association also their President and Man of the Year. He also served as a board member of the National Kidney Foundation of Central New York, the Salvation Army, the President’s Club of Leadership of LeMoyne College, Francis House, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Tommy continued in his father’s footsteps of giving back to Syracuse, the community that had given J. Stanley Coyne his start. His contributions included the building of Loretto’s J. Stanley Coyne Heritage Apartments, the J. Stanley Coyne Hall Office of Institutional Planning, Assessment, and Research at Onondaga Community College, and five affordable housing units on J. Stanley Coyne Circle in downtown Syracuse.  He supported many local charitable causes including Francis House, The Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Everson Museum of Art and Upstate Medical University.

An avid outdoorsman, Tommy was the owner and loyal member of the Alder Creek Hunting Club, the Lowville Elks Club, and The Syracuse Pastime Athletic Club. He loved to fish, hunt, and snowmobile in the great outdoors with his children and friends.

Tommy is predeceased by his mother, Jessie Cardwell Coyne Adams, of Syracuse, NY; his father, J. Stanley Coyne, of Syracuse, NY; his brother, Gerald M. Coyne, of Syracuse, NY; his sister, Susan Coyne Whitney, of Portland, Oregon; and his longtime friend, Shanna McCoy.

Thomas will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Constance Coyne Bohrer of Skaneateles, NY; his three sons: Thomas M. 'TM' (Amy) of Skaneateles, NY; Martin R. 'Marty' (Aimee) of Dewitt, NY; and Mark D. Coyne of Syracuse, NY; his sister, Joanne Coyne Matina of Toms River, NJ; and John Stanley Coyne, Jr., of Boca Raton, Florida. He is also survived by his former wife: Diana E. Coyne of Skaneateles, NY and nine grandchildren: Calvin, Emma, and Maddie Bohrer of Skaneateles, NY; and Thomas, Cate, and Cara Coyne of Skaneateles, NY; Kalie, Alden, and Josie Coyne of Dewitt, NY; several nieces and nephews; and longtime friend, Dr. Patricia J. Numann of Syracuse, NY and Rifca Scrupa of Cicero, NY.

Visitation will be held at the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13219, from 10-11AM on Thursday, December 5, 2024 followed by a service at 11am. Burial will then take place with a graveside service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 4100 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Francis House.