James Edward Coy

Jim bravely fought lung cancer for almost three years and on January 3, 2021, at the age of 82, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Preceded in death by his parents, Eletha Caroline (Lawrence) Coy and Lester Edward Coy; his siblings and their spouses, Rosella Coy, Viola Poorbaugh (Forrest), Phillip Coy (Elsie), Lawrence Coy (Eva), Lee Roy Coy (Doris), Donald Coy (Rose), and Nancy Pountney (Robert); and his dear wife of 13 years, Annamary Helen (Kloock) Coy (“Tina”). 

Survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Rebecca Marlene (Hartman) Coy; his daughter, Chinene Caroline (Coy) Miller and her husband Trever Lee Miller; his daughter, Heidi Lynn (Coy) Clark and her husband Matthew Franklin Clark; his grandchildren, Morgan Lee Miller, Carolynn Alberta Clark, Aurora Jean Clark and Owen Matthew Clark; and his sister, Jeanie (Coy) Ling (Ronald). Also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.  

Jim was born in Johnstown, PA, on April 23, 1938, the eighth of nine children. He attended Johnstown High School until the tenth grade, at which time he quit school to help support the household by working on the family farm. When he turned 18, Jim joined the United States Marines, earning a rifle marksmanship badge and the rank of Private First Class. After the service, Jim worked for BFI Industries as a commercial garbage truck operator for 26 years and then as a school bus driver for the Deer Lakes School District for over 10 years. Jim was also the groundskeeper at the Bull Creek Presbyterian Cemetery and continued in that position after retirement. Jim also co-owned the Hometown Restaurant in Tarentum, PA, for 25 years with his wife, Beckie.  Jim loved music, especially Polkas and 50s rock ‘n roll. Wherever Jim went, he was almost always the life of the party and loved to spend time with his family and friends. He took joy in being outdoors and liked to hunt and was especially happy whenever he could be on his John Deere tractor. If Jim was not outdoors, he could usually be found tinkering on a tractor or some type of small engine or vehicle in his garage (which his grandchildren referred to as “Pappy’s House”). His strong-willed character, tenacious spirit and warm kindness were magnetic to all who met him. To read more about Jim’s life, you can go to Jim’s granddaughter, Morgan’s, blog post she wrote earlier this year, “The Completely Unaverage Life of Jim Coy” at https://bit.ly/389AKS4

Due to Covid restrictions, services will be private and immediate family only. Arrangements were entrusted to the Siwicki-Yanicko Funeral Home, 23 McKrell Road, Russellton, West Deer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the AHN Healthcare at Home Hospice. Send to Allegheny Health Network  Office of Fund Development, 4818 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, or on line at  https://5814.thankyou4caring.org/hpcare, View obituary online and leave condolences at  www.siwicki-yanickofh.com

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