John B. Coyle Jr., 63

John B. Coyle Jr., 63, of Oldtown, Idaho, passed away Feb. 8, 2010, in Newport, Wash.

John was born Dec. 6, 1946 in Worcester, Mass., the son of John B. Sr. and Ruth (Donaldson) Coyle.

John was raised in Boylston, Mass., and graduated from Tahonto Regional High School in 1964. In 1968 John graduated with a bachelor’s degree in forestry from UNH. On June 15, 1968 he married Mary Margaret Taylor.

While serving in the U.S. Army John received a Bronze Star, he also served one tour of duty in Vietnam.  He was honorably discharged as a captain.

 John then joined the US Army Corps of Engineers; he worked on the construction of the Libby Dam. Eventually, the family settled in Oldtown, John worked at the Albeni Falls Dam until his retirement in 2004.

He was the first chief for the West Pend Oreille Fire District, established in 1980. John continued to be an active member serving as assistant chief and dedicating countless hours to the growth and expansion of the fire district.

Survivors include his mother Ruth M. Coyle of Boylston; his wife, Maggie Coyle of Oldtown; one sister, Ruth E. Coyle of Boylston; daughters, Catherine Coyle of Eugene, Ore. and Christine Coyle of Sapulpa, Okla.

A memorial gathering was held on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, at 1 p.m. at the West Pend Oreille Fire Hall.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are welcome to sign the online guestbook at www.sherman-knapp.com.