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.