In Memory of Walter A. Coyle, 1922–2009

It is with great sadness that we inform you that Walter A. Coyle passed away on Saturday, January 24, due to complications of Motor Neuron Disease.  He was 86 years old. 

Walter A. Coyle, 1922–2009

Walter Coyle, together with his wife, Marie, was one of the founders of the Scleroderma Foundation, as well as one of its predecessor organizations, the Scleroderma Federation.  For more than 30 years, he was a tireless volunteer and devoted champion for scleroderma-related causes, working almost full-time for the Foundation’s New England Chapter and the national office of the organization.  During his long tenure of service with the Foundation, Walter served on the National Board of Directors as treasurer.  When he retired from the National Board, Walter devoted his time to serving on the New England Chapter Board of Directors, as well as taking an active role in the daily management and fundraising activities of the Chapter.  In 2006, Walter was called upon by the National Board of Directors to serve as interim Chief Executive Officer, which he did for a period of three months while a national search for a new CEO was conducted.  In 2007, he was honored as the Scleroderma Foundation’s “National Volunteer of the Year” in recognition for his long and dedicated service to the organization at all levels.

Born in Watertown, Mass., he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at Northeastern University and was a Registered Engineer.  During his College Co-Op years, he served two semesters as a Research Assistant to Asa S. Knowles, President of Northeastern University helping to author an Industrial Management textbook.

Walter served in the Army in the Asian-Pacific theatre during WWII as a cryptanalyst on General Douglas MacArthur’s staff in the Philippines, as well as in Australia and New Guinea.  Upon his return from the service, he married Mary (Degnan) Coyle settling in Lexington, Mass. for the next 25 years where his daughter, Karen, was born.

During his business career, Walter rose through the ranks to become President/CEO of the Market Forge Company in Everett, Mass., division of Beatrice Foods.  Active in civic affairs, he served two terms as President of the Everett Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of the Massachusetts Safety Council.  While a resident of Lexington, Mass., he was elected and served as a Town Meeting Member.

Walter was predeceased by his wife, Mary, in 1976 and retired in 1980.  In 1978, he married Marie (Colantoni) Coyle a former employee and longtime friend and resided in Lynnfield, Mass. for 17 years, after which the Coyles moved to the Villages at Great Hill in Topsfield.

Before and after his retirement, Walter’s volunteer activities covered a wide-range of interests.  In addition to his full-time service to the Scleroderma Foundation, he served for 14 years as a docent and on various committees at the U.S.S. Constitution Museum.  Of particular note was an invitation from the Naval Historian assigned to the ship to help design an innovative photographic technique involving radiography of the ship’s keel.  The project was highly successful leading to the computerization of the X-ray pictures to track any damage that might occur.

Walter is survived by his wife, Marie, his daughter, Karen, and her husband Roger Andrews, and many loving nieces and nephews, Great Hill neighbors, and friends.

We know that many of you knew Walter and join us in sending our condolences to Marie and his family.  He will be sorely missed by all of us at the Scleroderma Foundation.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Campbell, Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 9 Dane Street, Beverly, Massachusetts.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 30, at 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Parish, 17 Prospect Street, Topsfield, Massachusetts.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation New England Chapter, which will support the Foundation’s research program and/or the U.S.S. Constitution Museum.

Scleroderma Foundation New England Chapter
462 Boston Street, Suite 1-1
Topsfield, MA 01983

USS Constitution Museum
P.O. Box 1812
Boston, MA 02129

Please note that the Foundation’s national office will be closed on Friday, January 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to allow staff to attend the funeral service.