John H. Coit

John Harrison Coit, 93, of Dewitt, NY, died Monday, June 5. He leaves his beloved wife of 65 years, Carolyn Inglehart Coit, and four children and their spouses: Lynde and Anne Coit, David and Christine Coit, Laura Coit and Timothy Boland, and Janet Coit and Peter Regan. He took tremendous pride in his children and his nine grandchildren: Stephen (Elsa) Coit, Sarah Coit, William Coit, Frances Coit, Chester Coit, Conor Boland, Clare Boland, Joseph Regan, and Nina Regan. He loved his sister, Barbara Coit Turner, who predeceased him last year, and was a devoted uncle and great-uncle. John was born on August 15, 1923, in Syracuse, New York, to Lynde Harrison Coit and Katherine Cook Coit. He lost his father at the age of 9 years old. His uncle, John Cook, played an important role in his life, and also wrote a daily column for the Syracuse Herald Journal under the name Joe Beamish. He was proud to earn the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.

John graduated from Nottingham High School in 1941. He attended Syracuse University, and in 1942 enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp where he served as a pilot, flight instructor, and flight engineer during World War II and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He graduated from Syracuse University's College of Engineering in 1948 where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. It was there that he met his future wife. They wed on February 2, 1952. John always said that marrying Carolyn was the best decision of his life. He worked as an engineer before starting the John H. Coit Co. in 1966 on an idea and a shoestring. He successfully ran his own small business and retired in 1989. He was a life member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse. John enjoyed life to the fullest from small moments to epic adventures. John and Carolyn enjoyed travelling, particularly visits to Coity Castle in Wales.

After he retired, John and a friend flew across the country twice in a small airplane, camping along the way. John was responsible, observant, good natured, an inventive builder and carpenter, and an avid skier and sailor. He is remembered for his unique humor and never-ending curiosity. He revered and was at home in nature. His favorite place in the world was his family's Adirondack retreat, Camp So-Hi, on Rainbow Flow in South Colton, NY, where he built two cabins without the benefit of electricity or road access. He delighted in sharing this special place with family and friends.

John was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse on June 8. A memorial service will be held at a future date. The Coit family has tremendous gratitude for the compassionate and expert care of Kelley Strand of Syracuse, NY, and would like to thank the caring staff at Elderwood at Liverpool for their support.

Contributions to honor John's life may be made to First Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse, 109 Waring Rd, Syracuse, NY 13224.

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