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A bit of bad news this afternoon for any long-time Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Phil Coyne, the famed usher who spent 81 years working for the team, was reported to have passed away today at the age of 102, and it was later confirmed by Pirates Twitter.
It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the news of the passing of long-time usher Phil Coyne.
— Pirates (@Pirates) April 9, 2021
Today, we remember the life and many fond moments we have all shared with Phil.
Our deepest condolences to the Coyne family and the many friends Phil made throughout the years. pic.twitter.com/0CJyutXSZ1
Coyne got his start in 1936 when the Bucs were still playing in Oakland at Forbes Field and worked over 6,000 games in his career, with the only break he took being a four-year stint in the Unites States Army during World War 2.
Coyne retired with the Buccos in 2018 at the ripe, old age of 99, and upon retirement, his badge and uniform were sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Pirates owner Bob Nutting said,
“Phil will always 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.”
RIP Phil Coyne. Thanks for being such an integral and historic figure with the Pirates.
Bob Nutting on Phil Coyne, as well as comment from Phil’s nephew, Dan: pic.twitter.com/s3cIvmJbUZ
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) April 9, 2021