REMEMBERING RAY COYNE,
A LEADER FOR LI'S IRISH

When Ray Coyne died on July 2, 2013, the Irish Cultural Society of Garden City, NY lost one of its founders.  He and Sally were avid members of the audience at meetings.  Many of in the audiences remember the gift of a handshake and a smile and a friendly greeting from Ray.  Comfortable in front of an audience, Ray often served as host or Master of Ceremonies or presenter at the society's functions.  He made the society's 35^th anniversary at the Wantagh Inn a history lesson on its origin and its heroes.  He was the MC at the best of the Easter Monday Memorial services in 2009 in Mineola.  Ray will always hold the distinction of being the only one of in the Society to read his granddaughter’s winning essay at the annual Writing Awards Ceremony.  Her skills in writing were no doubt inherited from her grandfather who published an article on James Joyce and Nora Barnacle in the February-March 2002 issue of the Hedgemaster.  How many of the Society's marchers found their places in the crowd at the Garden City/Mineola St. Patrick’s Day Parade by looking for a black bowler hat atop the head of a handsome Irishman, Ray Coyne.  The crowd of mourners at Ray’s funeral at St. Joseph’s Church in Garden City was testimony to the esteem to which the Coynes are held in the community.  The sympathies of the Irish community go out to Sally, Chris and the Coyne grandchildren.  May this great and good man rest in peace.