Obituary of James J. Coyne

A gentleman and a scholar, James J. Coyne (“Jim”), age 86, of Wellington, Florida and Bernardsville, NJ, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024. He is survived by his wife Kathryn (“Kate”); his son Sean and his wife Aliza; his daughter Sarah and her husband Aleks; his step-daughter Lauren; his grandsons Luca and Ezra; and his siblings Patricia Dillman and Eleanor Coyne of Pittsburgh, PA, and Mark Coyne of Frederick, MD. He is predeceased by his sister Margaret Smith.

He was a cherished husband, father, step-father and grandfather. He was married to the love of his life Kate for 31 years, and was immensely proud of his children.

But more than anything, Jim was a doctor. A cardiologist. He devoted his life to matters of the heart. 

His academic and professional pedigree is replete with honors: a summa cum laude graduate from Mount Saint Mary’s College in 1959, president of the University of Pittsburgh Medical School’s chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society in 1963, followed by prestigious internships, residencies and fellowships at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, both in New York City, and the Hammersmith Hospital and the Royal Postgraduate School of Medicine in London, England, respectively. He later continued his research and taught at both the Loma Linda School of Medicine in California and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.

A patriot, Jim served as a Captain in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1969 in California, during which time he attended to former President Dwight D. Eisenhower after a cardiac event. 

Jim was proud to serve in many leadership positions throughout his career, be it at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ, where he practiced for forty years, holding such titles as Assistant Director of Medicine and Director of Coronary Care Unit, or at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Orange, NJ where he was the Director of Cardiology. 

While he enjoyed teaching and hospital leadership, what Jim loved most, and did best, was treat patients. His professional dedication was unmatched, unwavering and true. His patients knew, and often told him, how lucky they were to have their heart in his skilled and beautiful hands.

An avid golfer and card player, Jim joined Baltusrol Golf Club in 1981, serving on its Board of Governors from 2002 to 2006. Though his scores on the links frustratingly increased in his later years, he always loved the game beyond measure: the long walks, the companionship and the challenge, even when his ball landed on the green smack dab in the middle of the faint outline of “yesterday’s cup.”

A devoted patron of the arts, Jim was often to be found in the audience at Lincoln Center in New York City for a ballet or classical music concert. But a true Renaissance man, his cowboy side loved skeet shooting at the Log Cabin Gun Club in Plainfield, NJ, just as much. Not to mention his fondness for spending winter Sunday afternoons with close friends watching a polo match at the Palm Beach International Polo Club in Wellington, FL.

Of his many gifts and talents, however, what Jim will be remembered for most was his sophistication, loquaciousness and profound social dexterity. A better conversationalist could not be found, Jim always chose his words as carefully as his beautiful clothes. He was simply impeccable. No one told a better story, but he was also a fine listener with a curious mind and quick wit. Everyone loved to be in his company and delighted to find themselves seated beside him at a dinner party. 

He will be missed greatly.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jim remained a Steelers and Pirates fan until the very end. But New Jersey was his home. And that is where he will be laid to rest.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ, Funeral Service will be on Saturday, March 23, 2023 at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Burial will be at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, 95 Mount Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association  . For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com