Paul Joseph Coyne

Paul Joseph Coyne, 76, of Pittsburgh, PA(Oakland/Greenfield/Baldwin) was known to respond to a jovial, "Nice to see you!" with the ever-cheeky, "Better to be seen than viewed!" and he stuck to his guns, folks. He chose to be cremated and his wishes were to be given to the Three Rivers. In his words, "I’ve always wanted to take a ride down the Ohio, on to the Mississippi, and end up in the Gulf.".

Paul drew the curtains on Sunday, Feb 26, 2023, with his daughter Jill by his side, ushering him onto the next great adventure.

In death he follows his son Bryan Paul; father Edward Joseph Coyne, mother Anna Marie (Carroll) Coyne, and brother Edward Coyne. He is survived by his daughters Krista Coyne Noel (Timothy), Karing Coyne (Michael Robertson), and Jill Coyne (Kevin Holtham); grandsons Liam & Egan Noel; granddaughters Zaida Brooks & Meyvn Robertson; brothers Thomas Coyne (Kathy), Lawrence Coyne (Sandi), & James Coyne; and sisters Carole Pastrick (John David “Dave”, decd.), Mary Gajdos (Steve), and Ellen Coyne (Doug Reeder, decd.). Also, many beloved nieces and nephews.

Paul grew up in Oakland (Ward St), attending Central Catholic High School. He went on to serve two years with the US Navy before joining the City of Pittsburgh Fire Department, earning a ranking to Captain and retiring from his decades long year career as acting Battalion Chief. His time with the Fire Department was a source of great dedication and satisfaction, years later pridefully mentoring his “sons by friendship”, Marc & Darrin Kelly into the ranks.

Beyond the Fire Department, Paul loved spending time with friends & family. Always up for a good ol' "barn raising" he spent some of his most enjoyable moments lending a hand or being returned a favor. Paul was a real "it takes a village" type of guy - but particularly when it came to “fixer-upping”. His proudest accomplishment came in the mid-80s; the two-story addition to his family home. If he was building with buddies, he was happy.

Paul had the Irish gift of gab and storytelling. He was quite the prolific joke-teller; but not your typical one-liners. He could weave a narrative tale that had his audience wondering if he was telling a true story or not, before he finally arrived at the punchline and they’d realize he got them once again.

One of Paul’s favorite times of the year was the St. Patrick’s Day parade. For many years, he enjoyed marching in the parade with the City Fire Department, and later as a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, then of course participating in the after-parade shenanigans and celebrations that followed. You could always find him at a pub, social club or piano bar belting out “Danny Boy” or the like, even though he could barely carry a tune in a wheelbarrow. 

Paul had a sharp intellect and loved a juicy debate. He was stubborn as a mule and would never back down from an opportunity to prove himself right. Even when he was he wrong, he still thought he was right, much to the consternation of those that loved him and wanted to tell him to go kick bricks. And many times did! We know that his friends and family are laughing, thinking about how well that’s going for him with the Big Guy Upstairs! Slainte!

Family and friends will be welcomed at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc.|4900 Centre Ave. at Devonshire Street. www.freyvogelfuneralhome.com on Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 2:00PM until 5:00PM. Celebration of Life from 6:00PM - 9:00PM at Rivers Club | 310 Grant St. Suite 411 (parking in attached garage). 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation at www.firehero.org/donate

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