Congratulations Mickey Coyne, 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal

Congratulations Mickey Coyne, 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal

(See Page 14 in print for Mickey’s Nomination story, or):

Congratulations to long time iIrish Advertiser and huge supporter Mickey Coyne, from iIrish, your family, and @NorasPublicHouse @WildGooseWLBY @FionasCoffeeBar @MickeysIceCream

The Greater Cleveland United Irish Societies
Grand Marshal: Michael F. Coyne

Michael, better known as Mickey, is the loving son of Michael Coyne from Co. Mayo and Loretta Sands Coyne from Co. Down. Mickey and his late sister, Mary Ellen Vana, had a traditional loving Irish upbringing, with faith and family first as parishioners of St. Aloysius Parish. Morning Mass followed with dinner, praying the Rosary and listening to Irish Music with their extended families of the Coyne’s, Reilly’s, Burke’s, and Talty’s was the typical Sunday for the Coyne’s.

They truly lived by the Irish motto: “Céad míle fáilte” (100 Thousand Welcomes) to all who came to their home, a trait Mickey instilled in his children and continues to live by today. Mickey is happiest when he can travel home to Mayo with kids Meghan, Kevin, Erin, Seamus, and Michael Patrick, thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Compassion carries over to Mickey’s professional life. He has been a Funeral Director for over fifty years with the McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home. Serving families from multiple generations, he treats all with kindness, no matter their financial circumstances. 

Many families from the Hospice of the Western Reserve are grateful to Mickey for graciously helping them through a difficult time. Mickey truly lives every day of faith and family first, as taught by his parents.

Mickey has led an active parish life, from his school days at Saint Aloysius to his current Immaculate Conception Parish. He is not one to just take space in a pew, through his leadership, parish festivals began, and many a lively Saint Patrick’s Day party were fun and successful under his guidance, all while being active in Civic Organizations as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, sponsoring local Little League Teams, and volunteering with Youth Organizations.

Living out his dream of owning an ice cream shop, he brought ice cream back to Downtown Willoughby with the opening of Mickey’s Ice Cream and Hot Dog Shop, adding another spot for Mickey and others to meet and greet.

Never one to sit back and watch others work, Mickey became a charter member of the Irish American Club East Side and has served numerous terms as president over the years. He would be one of the first to greet a new member to the club with a warm hello, pleasure to meet you, with hand always extended in friendship. No job was too big or too small for Mickey around the IACES, from Pie Nights, arranging entertainment, or presenting unique ideas to keep the club growing strong.

Life for Mickey is not all work and no play, with his favorite day of all being St. Patrick’s Day since the days of his childhood. Always starting the day with Mass, a family gathering, and then off to the Parade. He fondly remembers jumping into the parade and crossing the finish line with his father marching as a Member of the Knights of Columbus.

As a member of the Irish American Archive Society, Mickey helps keep the rich history of the Irish community preserved.  He knows his mom, dad and Mary Ellen will be proudly watching him as the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal, marching with Michelle and all his family beside him.