Henry Mark Coyle

Henry “Mark” Coyle, 83, passed away in his Sopchoppy, Florida home, surrounded by his family on September 17, 2023. He was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on March 13, 1940. Where he lived with his seven brothers and sisters, until he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served from 1960-1964. Mark met the love of his life, also known as his “girlfriend” or “beautiful bride”, Mary “Cookie” Haas in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. They were married August 13, 1964, then moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where they had their two daughters Dawn and Pamela. They made the decision to return to Florida in 1969 for Mark to continue his education. He graduated from North Florida Community College with an Associate degree then went on to attend Florida State University, where he received both his Bachelor and Master Degrees. Mark was employed by the Wakulla County School System from 1974-2000, as a chemistry and physics teacher at Wakulla High School and a principal at Sopchoppy Elementary School. He referred to all of his female students as "princesses" and all of his male students as "fine young gentlemen". He began each of his classes with a poem, if you had him you will remember that “Today Is the Beginning of a New Day.” He was often known for teaching his students “something he learned in the war.” Mark had many students go on to become successful in their chosen fields; he was very proud of them all. During his tenure as a teacher, he coached many sports: basketball (where he may have broken a toe kicking a bleacher to keep from getting a technical called), softball, and volleyball to name a few. He also coached football, baseball, and softball for the Wakulla recreation league. If he wasn’t coaching, you could find him on the sidelines or listening to a game on the radio, while sitting on his back porch. Mark traveled with Cookie to 49 of the 50 states (No Hawaii) tent camping on the majority of their travels. He loved the great outdoors and was an avid sportsman. Mark had a fishing license in 49 states and enjoyed tying a fly for fly fishing on the White River in Arkansas or casting a reel in a mountain streams in North Georgia with his wife and daughters. He loved sharing time with his many friends and children of friends over the years in the Sopchoppy “hunt woods.” They may have all shared a “bump” or two along the way. During the most recent years, he listened to “the hunt” on his radio so he could tag along with the fellas even though he couldn’t be there in person. Although he enjoyed his travels, Mark always loved returning to the “easy living” of Sopchoppy, Florida. He and Cookie were involved in many local organizations over the years that supported the city. He was instrumental as the first “Yankee Mayor” of Sopchoppy, along with the other members of Sopchoppy City Council, in expanding the Sopchoppy water system project. Mark enjoyed traveling on the “Mark Coyle Highway” (also known as Forest Road 365) through the woods for his afternoon meetings of the Old “FART” club that met at Dux every afternoon. He even managed to get to these “meetings” when he was in rehab at Eden Springs thanks to his dear friend James Revell. Mark is preceded in death by his parents, John and Bernice Coyle, his brothers, John, Tom, and Jerry; his sisters, Charlotte and JoHannah. He is survived by his wife, Mary “Cookie” Coyle, his daughters Dawn and Pamela (Joseph), his Granddaughters Mary (Ahmad) and Michele, his great grandchildren, Myles, Mya, Zayne and Kalliah. His brother, Jay Coyle and sister, Beatrice Coyle-Lumma. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 12:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Lunch will follow the service. An Irish Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 PM at Dux, 3332 Crawfordville Highway. In lieu of flowers donation can be made to the Wakulla High School Academic Boosters at Post Office Box 448, Crawfordville, FL 32326. Skip and Trey Young, along with Paula and Kimberly are assisting the family with arrangements.

Henry Mark Coyle

March 13, 1940 - September 17, 2023