03/09/2022

Obituary for Joseph J. Coyle

President, and Father of Megan M. Coyle, both of Coyle Funeral Home and Cremation Services

Our beloved Joseph J. Coyle, 77, died peacefully on March 7, 2022 surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. Joe was a man of great kindness, deep spirituality, wisdom, and patience. He had a wonderfully dry sense of humor. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Joe was born April 4, 1944 in Toledo, Ohio to William J. and Lillian E. (Held) Coyle. He was a proud graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School class of 1962. He earned All-City for football and track, and won the district championship in shot put. Joe graduated from Xavier University in 1966, where he was co-captain of the football team, leading them to an 8-2 record. He was recruited for NFL football by the Dallas Cowboys, but as an ROTC graduate was committed to serve his country as a U.S. Army Artillery Lieutenant at Ft. Polk, Louisiana.

Joe graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and joined the Coyle Funeral Home family business in June of 1970, as the 4th generation. He worked tirelessly in service of others, and loved caring for families during their most difficult times. Joe was a founding member of Trust 100 in Ohio, a funeral preplanning organization. Joe became the President of Coyle Funeral Home in 1998, and was recently awarded his 50-year honor at the Ohio Funeral Directors Convention. He was very proud of his legacy of trust, compassionate care, and dignity, all traits he instilled in his staff. His daughter, Megan, carries on the family business, as the 5th generation.

Joe knew the importance of generosity, and he gave his time, talent and treasure. As longtime member of Maumee Rotary, he served as president and foundation board member, receiving 2 Paul Harris awards. While president of Bowsher High School PTO, he earned the "Silver Slate" award from the Toledo Board of Education in 1994. He was president of the Northwest Ohio Funeral Directors Association and the Toledo Alumni of Xavier University; a trustee with the Medical College of Ohio Foundation, and Hospice of NW Ohio; Board Chairman of the Elizabeth Zepf Center. Joe also served on the board with the University of Toledo Family Business Center and the Dove Fund, which provides humanitarian and development assistance to areas in Vietnam. He donated generously to many Catholic Churches, Sacred Awakenings Sanctuary, Unity, and other local organizations. He was a long-time supporter of The Toledo Symphony, The Toledo Museum of Art, and The Toledo Botanical Gardens.

Joe had many passions outside of his professional career. He loved racing up and down the Maumee River in his red jet boat, then slowing down to contemplate the beauty of nature, sunrises, trees and birds. Every winter he enjoyed downhill skiing with his buddies in Colorado, a tradition they kept for over 30 years. He enjoyed physical fitness, sports, meditating, reading, and watching the river flow by. More than anything, Joe loved his family. He traveled frequently to Oregon, New York, and California to visit his children, and many other parts of the globe for his siblings and dear friends.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Bonnie (Bearss), his children Megan Coyle, Katie (David) Todd, and Jeremiah Coyle; grandchildren Kate and George Stamos, and Maya Grace Todd; brothers John B. (Irene) Coyle, Ned (Therese) Coyle, and sister Kitty Doherty, and many nieces, nephews, cousins. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Ann Egli, and brothers Bill, Mike and Jim Coyle.

Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Sunday, March 13 from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., followed by a "Sharing of Memories Service". The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 14, 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Burial will be at Toledo Memorial Park, with Military Honors.

Memorial donations may be given to Maumee Rotary Club. Please view Joe's video tribute and leave a condolence message at CoyleFuneralHome.com.