Another member passes away

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Art M
Posts: 964
Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:57 pm
First Name: Art
Last Name: Mirtes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Touring
Location: Huron, Ohio
Board Member Since: 2016

Another member passes away

Post by Art M » Wed Feb 22, 2023 1:37 pm

Bill Coyle, 54, pasted away last night. He had been an active participant of this forum and a charter member of the Firelands Timeless T's Model T Club, which formed in 2015. Late that year he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He fought it for over seven years.
Bill had a BS Mechanicl Engineering degree. He and his father rebuilt several model ts as well as a few other 1920s cars, which included Babbiting.
Besides autos and tracors, he repaired

He helped me to get my car back on the road after setting for 23 years. He had it running in about 1 hour. Even though I previously drove it for 17 years, I didn't know much about model t's and nothing about the coils. I am grateful for his help

He will be missed by all.

Art Mirtes

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Susanne
Posts: 1119
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: Another member passes away

Post by Susanne » Wed Feb 22, 2023 2:01 pm

We all get older, and we know someday we gotta go meet St Pete, but damn... ALL the good ones are checking out too damned soon. All I can figire is the big man upstairs needs help getting his T's running or something...

Damnit, Bill we here will remember and miss you. You were one of the rare few who, when you posted something, we could take it to the bank. May your pearly bands never need adjusting, and the eternal babbitt flow sweet, clean, and true, until we cal get together in the "big man's" shop and reminisce!

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TWrenn
Posts: 3743
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Wrenn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
Location: Ohio
Board Member Since: 2019

Re: Another member passes away

Post by TWrenn » Wed Feb 22, 2023 2:28 pm

Well said you two, well said. May Bill rest in peace. I don't think that young man..only 54 y.o., could get mad if he hit his thumb with a hammer! He will be missed by all. :(

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Oldav8tor
Posts: 2245
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Juhl
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
Location: Thumb of Michigan
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Another member passes away

Post by Oldav8tor » Wed Feb 22, 2023 2:53 pm

54 is way too soon. He will be missed by all who knew him.

A reminder to all of the importance of colonoscopies, prostate exams, breast exams, etc. As a cancer survivor I know personally the importance of early detection.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor


Jerry VanOoteghem
Posts: 4082
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
First Name: Jerry
Last Name: Van
Location: S.E. Michigan

Re: Another member passes away

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Wed Feb 22, 2023 3:06 pm

That's just terrible...
54... wow.
I just turned 58 this week. Makes you really think.

May he rest in peace.


Moxie26
Posts: 1863
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Jablonski
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: New Jersey
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Another member passes away

Post by Moxie26 » Wed Feb 22, 2023 4:10 pm

Art, thank you . Bill and I had some off forum communication, after some limited time I too appreciated him for his T knowledge and downright decentcy... Bill Coyle, rest easy my friend .


jiminbartow
Posts: 2433
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:55 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Patrick
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Coupe
Location: Bartow, FL
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: Another member passes away

Post by jiminbartow » Wed Feb 22, 2023 4:23 pm

54… Way too young to go. Sounds like he fit a lot of good living in that short time. Enough to leave a good impression on a lot of folks. Must have been a great fellow I would have liked to have known. RIP, Bill Coyle. Sincerely, Jim Patrick

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jwrightjr
Posts: 116
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:40 am
First Name: John
Last Name: Wright
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Touring, 1925 Roadster
Location: Martin, Ohio
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Another member passes away

Post by jwrightjr » Wed Feb 22, 2023 6:05 pm

Bill was a great man and taught me a lot in a very short time. The most valuable lesson he taught me was to appreciate life at 25 MPH. All to often we take things for granted and miss some of the most important things that pass us right by. I met Bill on this forum and later on in person at a local event. I had owned my car for about a year but never really drove it because of my own fight with cancer. He convinced me to get it out of the garage and drive it. We had many great short tours and he introduced me to several other members that also proved to be wonderful folks. He taught me patience. Being a fellow engineer albeit mechanical vs electrical we had some great conversations and he talked me into the idea I needed a lathe if I was going to own a T. He also taught me that owning a lathe and knowing how to use it were completely different things. Although I will never be a machinist I will think of Bill whenever I try to be.

I am going to miss my friend he truly was the brother I never had. RIP Bill.
Kind Regards
John

1922 Touring "Tinker"
1925 Roadster "Pops" (Pile Of Parts)
Martin, Ohio

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