Obituary
Richard Edward Coyle, age 81, of Sarasota, Florida passed away on February 5, 2021 at his home after a brief battle with leukemia. His daughter Alison and his wife Claire were at his side. Richard was the youngest of two sons born to Cleo Minker Coyle and John J. Coyle Sr. of Philadelphia. His brother John J. Coyle, Jr lives in Salt Lake Utah. John has four daughters Jaci,
Jenni, Jessica and JoHanna Williams who live also live in Utah. John’s wife the former Linda Lane and his son Jason who predeceased Richard. Richard and the former Claire Hummel were married in 1969 in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. They
were married for 51 years. Alison Coyle Ritchie, their only child, was the light of Richard’s life. In his later years he delighted in spending time and traveling with Alison and her family – son Ethan Ritchie, 22; daughter Clara Ritchie, 12, and son-in-law Shawn Ritchie, who was like a son and a friend to Richard. Born in Philadelphia, Richard grew and lived most of his life in Havertown, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School and served four years in the U. S. Air Force.
During his career, Richard worked for Boeing and for Electronic Security Corporation. Shortly after their marriage, Richard and Claire joined the Nevil Memorial Church of St. George in Ardmore, a place that became central to the family’s life. Richard sang in the Men and Boys choir and in the chancel choir. He also became a fixture in the church kitchen and the social life
of the church. The couple was instrumental in the establishment of The Children’s Ark at St. George, a child-care facility that continues to serve the community 25 years later. Richard was also a member of the Philadelphia Gospel Seminar Choir directed by Edwin Newberry and traveled through England, Ireland and Wales performing with the group. He was a history buff
and enjoyed auditing college history courses. In 2005 the Coyle’s moved to the Meadows in Sarasota, Florida. Since making Sarasota his home, Richard has been an active member of St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church. In addition to his first love of music and singing, Richard also became involved with the property maintenance at St. Margaret and served as a member of the Vestry. In 2019 he completed EFM, a four-year educational program for laymen interested in becoming more involved in the
ministry of the church. He was also a member of the Meadows Country Club
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