Gene Coyne
Eugene Frederick “Gene” Coyne, “the CandyMan,” was born Dec. 14, 1940, to Edward J. Coyne and Celia Geno (McCue) Coyne in Holyoke. He died Nov. 4, 2019.
Gene was raised on the Coyne farm northeast of Holyoke with his brothers and sisters, Lois, James, Robert, Marilyn, Gloria and Gerry.
He graduated from Holyoke High School in 1958. He became a father to Michael, Tammy, Brandy, Sam, Edward, David, Gaben, Eben, Alana and Larenda.
Gene moved to Denver and worked at a Texaco service station. “You can trust your car to the man who wears the star” was Gene. He loved working on cars and became very knowledgeable on their parts. After a few years, he moved back to Holyoke to help on the farm after the death of his father and became part owner of the NAPA parts store in Holyoke. After his time in Denver, with his knowledge, he became the man to call for your parts at NAPA.
After the NAPA store was sold, he moved to Gillette, Wyoming, and worked as a parts man at the NAPA store there. Gene moved back to Holyoke and became an alcohol and drug abuse counselor. After the counseling department was shut down, he became a maintenance man at the Holyoke hospital. He also managed the Holyoke RV and trailer park. He opened Maintenance Service, a plumbing and electrical repair service in Holyoke.
Gene met Kelsie Russell in the 1980s, and they were together until Kelsie died in 2015. Both Gene and Kelsie loved all their family very much and especially loved their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All of Gene’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew him as “Pa,” and he was also known as “the CandyMan” because he would always have candy with him and would give it to anyone he was around.
He especially loved the Fourth of July and would frequently spend lots of time and money on fireworks with his family and friends. He was a very kind and loving man to everyone. He loved his diet Pepsi and Lay’s potato chips.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Celia Coyne; brother, James Coyne; sister, Marilyn Fuller; brother-in-law, Ken Fuller; twin baby sons, Gaben and Eben; grandson, Mathew Coyne; and granddaughter, Taylor Bahnsen.
Gene is survived by his brothers and sister, Robert Coyne and wife Jerrie, Gloria Heinitz and husband Walt, and Gerry Coyne and wife Linda; children, Michael Coyne and wife Tricia, Tammy Krueger and husband Tim, Brandy Coyne, Sam Coyne and wife Diane, Edward Coyne, David Coyne and wife Chandra, Alana Houser and husband Shawn, and Larenda Jernigan and husband David; grandchildren, K.C. Coyne and wife Heather, Lisa Brueggeman and husband Bryan, Chastidy Krueger, Derric Krueger and wife Meagen, Monty Krueger and wife Andy, Janay Bahnsen-Price and husband Rich, Golden Coyne, Morgan Coyne, Hannah Coyne, Jacob Coyne, Leif Jernigan, Rafe Jernigan, Sam Jernigan, Lilly Jernigan, Jordan Houser, Joshua Houser, Deryk Russell and wife Nikki, Jordan Russell and wife Emily, and Kaden Russell and wife Claire; great-grandchildren, Makayla Johnson, Camillie Johnson, Raevyn Coyne, Aria Brunick, Dylan Krueger, Tristin Krueger, Courtnie Krueger, Caitlyn Krueger, Tylee Krueger, Noah Krueger, Ben Bahnsen, Ryanne Price, Heydyn Price, Treyton Russell, Alythia Russell, Emmitt Russell, Josslyn Russell and William Russell.
The memorial service was held Nov. 9 at SunSet View community center in Holyoke. Cremation was requested, and a private family burial was held at Holyoke Cemetery.
Memorials can be sent to Michael Coyne, P.O. Box 175, Holyoke, CO 80734.