CAMBRIDGE – William J. Coyle, 71, a U.S. Navy Korean War era veteran, renowned local horseman, auc-tioneer and raconteur, and father of four, died March 1, 2008, at a Bangor hospital. Mr. Coyle was born in South Boston and grew up in Waltham, Mass. He worked for many years in the city’s parks and recreation department at Prospect Hill Park. After honorable service in the Navy, Mr. Coyle worked out West, where he became a member of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He com-peted in numerous rodeos, including an appearance at the old Boston Garden. In the early days of local television, he was a member of Rex Trailer’s Saturday morning ensemble. For the past 22 years, he lived with his family in Cambridge and was a member of St. Anne’s Parish, Dexter. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Brown); their four children, Patricia Coyle and her companion, Shawn Thayer, Spc. William Coyle III, currently serving with the 173D Airborne Combat Team in Afghanistan, and his wife, Nicki; his daughter, Michelle Coyle and her daughter, Ruffian; his daughter, Margaret Pellegrini and her husband, Carlo, and their children, Tia and Danielle. He is also survived by eight siblings; his brothers, Brian, Bernard, Stephen, Michael and David; his sisters, Margaret Shanks, Michelle Neville and Mary Coyle Nevrekar; and numerous cousins, including Ann Chamberlin, his lifelong friend. He was the beloved uncle of 19 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, William J. Coyle and Margaret (Flaherty) Coyle; and his brother, Robert E. Coyle. A memorial Mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at St. Mary’s Church, Walt-ham, Mass. After Mass there will be a memorial and appreciation reception for family and friends at Chateau Restaurant, 195 School St., Waltham, Mass. An appreciation lunch will be held noon March 15 for his family and Maine friends at Kostas Restaurant, 429 Wilson St., Brewer. In lieu of floral gifts, donations may be sent to the Physically Challenged Program, care of Fran Moore, P.O. Box 202, Dover Foxcroft, ME 04426-0202 or for a program to save wild horses, Return to Freedom, P.O. Box 926, Lompoc, CA 93438-0926.
WILLIAM J. COYLE
