Rodney Francis Coyne

Rodney Francis Coyne, 84, of Crystal River, Fla., died January 4 at the Brooksville Regional Hospital in Brooksville, Fla.

He was the father of Deborah Altieri of Sandy Hook.

Born August 9, 1915 to Robert and Irene Coyne in Bridgeport, he moved to Florida 20 years ago. Mr Coyne was a retired military aircraft manufacturing engineer with Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, with 20 years of service. He was a US Army veteran and member of the VFW Post 8189 Crystal River, a percussionist for the Citrus County Jazz Society and Citrus Orchestra, and also played drums in Connecticut local bands. He was a Catholic.

Mr Coyne was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Pierce) Coyne, in June of 1996. Surviving is another daughter, Susan Hovasse of Mattapoisett, Mass, and two great-grandchildren.

The Newtown Bee       January 14, 2000