Coyle honored as Irishman of Year

By Michael P. Walsh

Special to the Voice

Mayor Dorinda Borer presented the “Voice of the Irish,” David Coyle, with a navy blue jacket embroidered with his new distinction, “Irishman of the Year 2026,” during festivities marking the city’s 33rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 17.

Borer also presented Coyle, a third-generation descendant of Irish immigrants from counties Cavan, Galway, Wicklow and Sligo, with other tokens of appreciation, including a proclamation declaring “David F. Coyle Day” in West Haven, and delivered remarks lauding the city’s top Irishman as “the charismatic master of ceremonies for our annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.”

In addition to the mayor reading the proclamation citing Coyle’s “unparalleled” devotion to Irish culture and civic duty, the ceremony featured the unveiling of a Kelly green street sign christening City Hall’s Campbell Avenue entrance “David F. Coyle Square” until next year’s event, when the lifelong Westie will pass his title to a fellow person of Irish lineage.

At the start of the 40-minute program, the sign of last year’s recipient, former 13-term West Haven state Rep. Stephen D. “Steve” Dargan, was officially retired.

The West Haven St. Patrick’s Day Committee each year recognizes an Irish resident or couple who exemplifies service in the city’s close-knit Irish community.

“To have my name added to the list of recipients is a tremendous honor,” Coyle told the crowd, many donning Aran sweaters and other Irish garb and lining Campbell Avenue near Main Street. “From the very first Irish Person of the Year, Edward McDermott, to Steve Dargan and so many great people in between. And, of course, to join my uncle Jack (Coyle), Irish Person of the Year way back in 1999, is very special.”

As the sound of Celtic music played by bagpipers and drummers filled the air during the cultural event honoring Ireland’s patron saint, Coyle toasted his forebears on a breezy, sunny day with more than 200 of his closest friends and family members, along with a sea of shamrock-clad dignitaries, including former and current political leaders and fire and police officials, and descendants of folks from the Emerald Isle.

Coyle, a member of the West Haven Irish American Club for over 40 years who has served stints as president, vice president and director, said he was grateful to receive the city’s “Irish Person of the Year” award.

“Until now, I never fully understood what a big deal it is to be named Irish Person of the Year,” said Coyle, who has brought the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities to life for more than two decades as a committee member and an emcee. “The number of people who have reached out through social media, text messaging, email, by phone or just stopping to offer their congratulations has been overwhelming, to say the least. It’s been an incredibly humbling experience, and I can’t thank everyone enough for all their kind words.”

Coyle also thanked Borer for “being a friend for many years” and for “all you have done over the past 2 ½ years as mayor.”

“Evidence of your hard work and leadership is tangible, starting with restoring financial stability to the city, initiating real economic development, so many beautification projects, not to mention just bringing about an upbeat, positive vibe to the place,” he said. “The progress you have made in such a relatively short period of time is nothing short of remarkable. I know I speak for everyone here when I say thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do for West Haven.”

At the midday ceremony, Borer also presented an Irish flag to Coyle, whose loved ones sat just offstage, smiling as he was feted.

Looking on with pride were his wife, the former Valerie Cryoskie, and their children, Kaitlin Coyle, 32, and Kevin Coyle, 29. Also looking on were sister Ann Smith, brother-in-law Mike Smith and niece Erin Smith, as well as sister Mary Shaw and brother-in-law Matt Shaw.

Nephew Ryan Smith and nieces Kelly and Colleen Shaw were unable to attend, but Uncle Jack Coyle was there to represent.

According to organizers, the Coyles are the first uncle and nephew to receive the award.

Other attendees included 2026 Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Fiona Stewart Jimenez, of West Hartford, and Honor Attendant Meghan Waterfield, of West Haven.

The opening procession was led by members of the West Haven Police Honor Guard and the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums.

After Bailey Middle School chorus teacher Paul Scanlon sang powerful renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Irish national anthem, “Soldier’s Song,” retired Pastor Mark R. Jette, the city’s 2010 Irishman of the Year, offered an “Irish poem for our honoree.”

The invocation was followed by remarks by this year’s master of ceremonies, Councilman David Beaton, D-9, who called Coyle a “dear friend” and chronicled the Coyle clan’s journey across the Atlantic for a new beginning in the United States.

Coyle later thanked Beaton for his “masterful job as MC.”

State Rep. Bill Heffernan (D-115) presented Coyle with an “Irishman of the Year” citation from the city’s General Assembly delegation.

Borer, the city’s 2014 Irishwoman of the Year, then issued remarks of praise about her “great friend” Coyle, who was a mentor when she first joined the Irish American Club.

“As president, Dave made everybody feel like they were part of something great,” the mayor said.

Borer followed by reading the proclamation to Coyle, saying: “The City of West Haven takes great pride in honoring Irish American Westies who embody the rich heritage, vibrant culture and tireless spirit of service that define our community. David F. Coyle stands as a living bridge between the storied history of his ancestors and the modern spirit of our shoreline city.”

The program also featured a performance of “The Wearing of the Green” by the emerald society, which, led by drum major Tony Mancini, dedicated the rendition to Coyle.

Born in 1957 to Francis “Bunny” Coyle Jr. and the former Catherine Mullen, Coyle grew up on Templeton Street in West Shore’s Aimes Point with his sisters.

“I am deeply proud of my Irish roots and ancestry,” he said. “It’s personal and something I carry with me all the time.

“Our parents were incredible role models who taught us many lessons. Among them was to keep our faith, stay close, always stick together and remain proud of our Irish. I’d like to think we are honoring their memories each and every day.”

For Coyle, life was defined by the rink and the neighborhood. A standout athlete, he played three years of hockey for legendary coach Art Crouse at West Haven High School, graduating in 1976.

He carried that grit to Quinnipiac College and later to Central Connecticut State College, where he graduated in 1980 before embarking on a 40-year career in the property casualty insurance industry with firms Aetna, Travelers and Sachs Walsh Insurance.

Success, though, was never just about the office for Coyle; it was about home.

For 35 years, he and his wife have lived on Richmond Avenue in the city’s Painter Park neighborhood, raising their kids as devoted parishioners of St. John XXIII Parish and St. John Vianney Church.

Coyle’s fingerprint is on every corner of the city’s civic life, from serving nearly 30 years on the Parks and Recreation Commission, including more than 20 years as chairman, to establishing the enduring St. Lawrence School Golf Classic as a member of the school board.

He also spent 35 years coaching and officiating for West Haven Youth Hockey and served as a three-term president of the West Haven Penalty Box Club, ensuring the next generation of Blue Devils had the support they needed.

A lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Coyle is a past grand knight of Father Curtin Council 2541 and a past president and director of the West Haven Knights of Columbus Building Association.

He is also a lifetime member of West Haven’s Elks Lodge 1537 and was a recipient of West Haven’s Jimmy Fund award in 2008.