ROBERT MICHAEL COYNE, JR. (Age 65)
“Thank you, Bob, for the gift of YOU”
On July 25, our family lovingly handed over the soul of ROBERT MICHAEL COYNE, JR. (BOB) to God after a long, courageous fight against severe complications related to an anoxic brain injury after cardiac arrest. Bob was 65 years old.
Bobby was born on October 12, 1952 in Bridgeport, Ohio. He was the fourth child out of seven born to two former Marines with strong Irish values and a commitment to family. He was a highly energetic, adventurous, fun-loving child with tight dark curls, bright blue eyes and an infectious smile. Bobby’s neighborhood escapades brought both joy and constant anxiety to his parents – he taught himself to ride a unicycle, scaled the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, never turned down a neighborhood dare and was known to jump the trains on the B&O Railroad.
Academically, Bobby excelled in school. He was a bright child with an inquisitive mind that loved to learn. He attended St. Anthony’s Grade School in Bridgeport; St. Anthony’s High School; graduated cum laude from Wheeling Jesuit College in 1975 with a bachelor of arts in criminal justice and a minor in psychology; and in 1993 earned his Masters of Science degree in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University.
It was in college that Bob met his best friend and soulmate, Catherine Marie Grondalski. Upon graduation, and to be closer to Cathy, Bob took a job at the Georgetown Hospital psychiatric ward in Washington D.C. The two subsequently married in 1978, settled in Derwood, Maryland, were parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and had three children, Bridget, Matthew, and Megan. Bob and Cathy together built an incredible 40-year marriage focused on God, each other, their children and family.
At his core, Bob was a humanitarian. He viewed his life as one in service to others and worked tirelessly for this cause professionally, socially and in day-to-day living. As a result, Bob’s life was filled with many deep and rich friendships that stood the test of time. He was extremely charismatic, laughed often, enjoyed witty conversation and debate and never lost his need for adrenaline and adventure from his childhood years. He was proud of his Irish heritage, his family and his Catholic faith. He took every opportunity to forge relationships with others and to support his community. Bob was kind beyond measure, empathetic and compassionate. He enjoyed books of all subjects, had a beautiful singing voice and a deep love of music. He strove to be physically active and enjoyed gymnastics, skydiving, parasailing, bungee jumping, boxing, jiu-jitsu/ground fighting and flew the trapeze at age 54!
The drive to serve and assist those in need led Bob to pursue significant positions and volunteer initiatives within his community. Bob was an active volunteer within his church, supporting parish needs and serving on parish council. For many years he was deeply dedicated to his work with the Shady Grove Pregnancy Center mentoring young fathers-to-be. He served as Vice President of Montgomery’s Miracles, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to providing financial support for individuals enrolled in drug court, and was a consultant to the board of directors and senior staff of the Maryland School of the Blind. Bob also found great joy teaching in the accelerated business degree program at both the graduate and undergraduate levels at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD.
Professionally, Bob had an impressive management career that spanned more than 30 years. For fifteen years, he held leadership positions in public administration including with the Office of the State’s Attorney and the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission. Bob was instrumental in starting significant reforms within the county government, including community-based policing in Montgomery County, pre-trial services and differentiated case management. Transitioning into the private sector, Bob served as an executive leader with Prudential Home Mortgageand the National Council on the Aging. He was an excellent public speaker with significant skills in business operations, process and analysis. In 2001, fueled by his love of teaching and extensive experience in executive management, Bob began his own consulting company, RMC Enterprise Solutions, Inc., a professional services firm focused on organizational transformation and change management initiatives.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Catherine; loving children Bridget (Christian Dinneen-Long), Matthew (Devon Hill) and Megan (Michael Menchaca); sweet grandchildren Grace Elizabeth and Harper Margaret; brothers Dennis and Michael; sisters Barbara, Patricia, Mary Ellen and Margaret; many much-loved nieces and nephews and countless extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Robert Michael Coyne, Sr. and Sara Agnes Coyne (nee Shepard), and by his dear infant brother George William.
Visitation will be held at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Sunday, July 29 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6701 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, MD, on Monday, July 30 at 10:30 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Thank you, Bob, for giving us the gift of YOU — and for touching the lives of everyone you met in countless, meaningful ways. In honor of Bob’s life, please consider a memorial contribution to the Little Sisters of the Poor of Washington, DC, Inc., 4200 Harewood Road NE, Washington, DC 20017 or to EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Birmingham, AL 35210.
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