Long-time Pirates usher Phil Coyne passes away
Pittsburgh, Pa (WJAC) — Long-time Pittsburgh Pirates' usher Phil Coyne passed away Friday morning at 102-years-old, the team and his family confirmed.
Phil Coyne worked for the Pirates for over 80 years, following the team from Forbes Field, to Three Rivers Stadium to PNC Park.
He worked over 6,000 games, from 1936-2018, and finally called it quits just weeks before his 100th birthday.
Phil was and always will be a true Pirates legend. He was a hard-working, passionate family man who proudly served our country as a member of the United States Army during World War II. He worked his first Pirates game at Forbes Field at the age of 18 in 1936. For the next 82 years and more than 6,000 games until his official retirement ceremony on his 100th birthday, Phil was so much more than an usher to us and our fans. As a testament to his life of service to the game of baseball, his Pirates uniform and identification badge remain on permanent display at the National Baseball Hall-of-Fame“As we celebrate his life and the many fond memories we all have of Phil, our thoughts are with the entire Coyne family and his many, many friends. He was and will forever be a member of our Pirates family," Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting added.
“Philly really was truly grateful for every Pirates fan who ever came up to him and shook his hand, gave him a hug or even asked for an autograph. He really loved interacting with the fans and felt the kindness from everyone at the Pirates family over the decades. On behalf of the entire Coyne family, we are thankful for everyone’s support during this time," his nephew Dan Coyne said.
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