Patrick J. Coyle, age 63, a resident of Juneau, Alaska, died on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, while piloting a medevac air rescue mission to Kake Island, in a remote part of Southeast Alaska. Patrick worked for Guardian Flight Alaska. Patrick was the son of Owen Coyle of Lansdale PA, and the late Catherine (Johnston) Coyle.
He was a 1973 graduate of North Penn High School in Lansdale PA. Pat also maintained close ties with many members of the Lansdale Catholic class of 1973. He graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in 1978. He served his country in the United States Navy with stations in Jacksonville FL and Rota Spain, where he reached the rank of Lieutenant. After the Navy, he worked for US Customs as a Pilot and Officer with stations in Long Island NY and Jacksonville FL. Pat also served in the U.S. National Guard. He retired in 2007 from the Navy and U.S. Customs after 29 years of service.
Patrick continued with his love of flying by taking various jobs as a pilot in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Sitka AK, and Juneau, AK. In 1983, he piloted a single engine, modified Piper Warrior aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland, Canada, to Shannon, Ireland. This incredible flight took 14 hours. In his career as a pilot, he flew small planes for Wings Airways, Seaplanes for Seaborne Airways, and filled in with numerous jobs as a helicopter pilot. Pat’s last decade was spent in Alaska, doing what he loved best, piloting medical rescue missions for the residents of Alaska.
Along with his love of family and flying, Patrick had an incredible sense of humor. He loved telling jokes. His hobbies over the years have included skydiving, scuba diving and skiing. Pat had the unique ability to maintain contact with many of his lifelong friends from all over the world.
Along with his father, Owen Coyle, Pat is survived by eight siblings, his twin brother, William Coyle, and wife, Paula, of Langhorne, Sisters, Kathleen (Coyle) Rice and husband Donald of Pipersville, Mary Ellen (Coyle) Moran and husband James, of York, Elizabeth Ann (Coyle) Bagley and husband Jeffrey of Hilltown, Owen Coyle and his wife Diane of Claymont DE, Michael Coyleand his wife Kathryn of Newport NC, John Coyle of Gilbertsville and Brian Coyle and his wife Joan of Lansdale. He will be greatly missed by his twenty-two nieces and nephews, and 9 great-nieces and nephews.
Family & Friends are invited to greet Pat’s family on Saturday, February, 23 at St. Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Ave, Lansdale, PA 19446 from 9am-11am which will be followed by his Memorial Mass at 11am.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to your local First Responder organization in Pat’s Memory.
Tuesday may 28th 2024
I was heart Brocken to find out you passed away. I just saw you when him were in California. He was on his way back home. We went to his family’s restaurant and home . He was going to call when he got home but figured he was busy . My x passed right before . I was busy and figured he was busy too. I’m so sorry to find this out . I just was looking it up and saw I could write a message. My heart brakes.. he is so missed. A wonderful man . Great friend miss his smile and humor could always cheer me up.. so missed.. this is Kathy. I’m so sorry😞😢 I can not believe he is gone… Pat you are so missed never forgotten❤️🙏
I was thinking this morning, “Let me see if I can locate my old roommate, Pat Coyle, from our days in the Customs Academy in Glynco, Georgia.” I was heartbroken to find the news of his death in 2019. What a great, fun loving guy. Best roommate ever! So sad to see this news!
I miss you my dear friend. It’s closing in on 1/29 again and a day doesn’t go by that I don’t think of you. The world was a better place with you in it.
Thinking of you always,
Bonnie
Hello all of you Great Coyle family.Just found out about Pat.I was looking up some old Astor Diner friends and the whole AWSOME FAMILY.!
Hello you GREAT family.I just read this looking up my old friends.California girl Betty Ann😀,Mary Ellen😀,and that great little lady Cathy😀.My friend in drafting class,that one we met on that California trip we were going and we met your brother coming home near the arches?I am sorry to just find out.I hope the best for all of you!!What a great family. Astor diner Allan.
Just tonight, almost a year later, heard of Pat’s passing. So very Sad. I sure hope this message gets to his family: He was such a GREAT MAN and a wonderful friend in years past. My heart is hurting for and with you all. I do know that he was a believer and is waiting to see you all again in Heaven. I loved him and all of his family that I met. Peace be with you all!
Donna Carter – 904.465.3301
Jacksonville FL
My deepest sympathy for the Coyle family. I met Pat when he was retiring from Customs in Jacksonville. He was such a fun person to know. Pat took me flying, threw a great Halloween party and made me laugh so much with his wit and humor. I feel truly blessed having had the pleasure to know him as he made the world a better place. His dazzling smile, hospitality and heart of gold will be deeply missed.
Love ya Pat.
Mike
Als Pat in mein Leben kam ,es war im Sommer auf IBIZA Spanien im Jahr 1984. damals
wussten wir noch nicht ,dass diese Freundschaft für immer war, es waren fast 35.Jahre.
Als ich im Internet suchte , fand ich diese unendlich traurige Nachricht.
Pat war für mich immer schon ein Held. Ich vermisse ihn sehr. Es war immer schön eine E-Mail von ihm zubekommen.
Mein Mitgefühl gilt seiner Familie.
Ich bin unendlich traurig, in meinem Herzen lebst Du weiter.
Death Is Not The End (Bob Dylan)
Als Pat in mein Leben kam, es war Sommer auf IBIZA Spanien im Jahre 1984. Damals
wussten wir noch nicht ,dass diese Freundschaft für ein Leben war. Es waren fast 35. Jahre. Als ich im Internet suchte, fand ich diese unendlich traurige Nachricht.
Du warst immer ein Held für mich.Ich vermisse dich sehr. Von dir zuhören war immer schön.
Ich bin sehr,sehr traurig, du wirst mir fehlen.
Tiefes Mitgefühl gilt seiner Familie.
In Liebe Lisa
Death Is Not The End ( Bob Dylan)
Augsburg Germany 27.03.2019
Pat and I were friends from the instant we met. He was always so very kind to myself and my Delta crew members. Our visits together were limited to “seasonal flying” to Juneau during my layovers, but Pat made them so much more pleasurable for me.
When he was available he would spend the day with me. When he wasn’t available, he would always leave me his little white car to drive. The bumper sticker “I’m too sexy for my car” was so very fitting, because that car definitely had its issues. Yet it was always a topic of huge laughter because of us constantly joking about how he wanted it to stop running while I was driving it, not him.
Pat was such a laid back & kind man. A friend to all and will carry a piece of our hearts with his memories, from earth to Heaven, for all eternity.
I was a friend of Pat’s from his time with customs and also a neighbor of when he lived in Fleming Island, Florida. He was a special person who loved life and people. I don’t know a bad word about. He will be greatly missed. Bill McFarland
The world has lost a wonderful, kind, caring man. Partrick came into my life when I needed laughter. Oh what laughter he brought. I will always hold near to my heart and treasure you my friend. I’ll always remember you with a smile. I know you loved Jesus. Now you are in his arms. Rest In Peace my most treasured friend.
Kathy Horton
In a world of naysayers, Pat was always the most positive person in the room. His smile and sense of humor were his outstanding traits. Pat and I worked together in Jax with US Customs. Still shaken by this very sad news. Thoughts and prayers go out to Pat’s family. God Bless and keep you all wrapped in his arms.
I only met Pat 2/3 times~ however ~it felt like we knew each other for years!! Pat had the gift of quickly making you feel very comfortable in his company!! His large,warm,loving presence was felt by all that knew him! That golden smile, that he so often flashed ,was contagious!! The last time we spoke to Pat (2018) we told him, to give us 2 years to visit his charming home in magnificent Alaska!!!
“Pat,we will meet again someday” Alaska or elsewhere <3 <3 <3
Love, Maryann Silverman (Bill Johnston's wife)
With tenderness and deep sympathies to everyone during this very difficult time!
To Owen and family: Saddened to hear about Pat, sounded like he lead an interesting life. Our thoughts are with you at this tragic moment. Goldie, and Brendan .
Pat was never one to shy away from telling a joke, even if I had heard it a dozen times. He had a love of Halloween and kept me entertained for countless long hours at work.
I will dearly miss him and his smile.
Love,
Sheryl Lantz RN
Sitka, AK
I knew Pat since the 6th grade at St. Stan’s. We shared a paper route together. We both served in the US Navy. This is a such a tough loss for me….Pat died trying to save another life. That was Pat Coyle all the way
R.I.P. my prayers are with the family
Met you in Atlanta in 1996 and we stayed in touch through the years. I’m happy that you continued to do what you loved. Will miss hearing your voice! RIP!
PAT FLEW US TO NEW YORK ON HIS SMALL PLANE. WE WOULD MEET HIM FOR LUNCH WHEN HE WAS IN TOWN. WHAT I LIKED ABOUT PAT WAS THAT HE WAS A KIND, SWEET, LOVING PERSON. I LOVED HIS SMILE AND LAUGHTER. I LOVE YOU PAT!!!
A great American and skilled pilot. He set the bar high…
A dedicated pilot and honest man.
Patrick was always a bright spot in my day when he worked for Seaborne. He will be missed!
June 17, 1978. I called a wrong number and Pat came into my life. My life would not be the same without his friendship. Thank you to his family for the blessing of this amazing man. My prayers are with you all.
What an amazing life. Pat lived it to the fullest and on the edge. The world is less one great person who risked his life regularly to help other in need.
Rest in peace my lovely fun loving cousin going to miss your phone calls and jokes fly high my friend and in your own words at the beginning of most conversation it went like this how’s my favourite????????? Loue you Pat Mary Lyttle