Gifts & Memorial Donations

Gary Coil, age 73, of New Port Richey passed away June 17 while on vacation in Ohio. He was born in Lima, Ohio and moved to St. Petersburg in 1957 with his family. He was a graduate of Boca Ciega High School, St. Petersburg Junior College, the University of South Florida and Appalachian State where he earned his master’s degree. For 33 years he taught history and served as department chair at Seminole High School in Pinellas County. As an instructor, he hosted many students on trips to Washington, D.C. where they learned the essentials of government. On trips to Europe, his students learned the history, art and architecture of each country visited. He also taught as an adjunct instructor of history at St. Petersburg Junior College. He loved sports and coached baseball, basketball and football. For 14 years he announced the Seminole High School football games every Friday night. His approach to teaching with many visual aids and current events made him popular with his students. They have described him as a teacher who truly impacted their lives for the better. In retirement he moved to New Port Richey where he became active serving the community and volunteering. He was a past president of the Rotary Club of Holiday and served as the Assistant District Governor for Area 7, District 6950. He was the active liaison for the Interact Club at Gulf High School in Pasco County. He was a member of the Clearwater Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and served as 1^st vice president. He was a volunteer poll worker in Pasco County as well as a precinct supervisor. One of his great passions was genealogy. He was a member of the Pinellas and Tarpon Springs Genealogy Societies and was director of the West Pasco County Genealogical Society. His family research grew to 3,000 pages and led him to the first Coils to arrive in this country, Valentein and Margaret, two Germans who arrived here in 1749 aboard the ship Edinburgh. He is survived by brothers, James Coil (Sharon) and Bruce Coil (Sue) and nieces, Christina Coil, Cynthia Coil Jones (Devin), Courtney Coil and Lindsey Dougherty. A service will be held Saturday, July 29, at the Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home, 5228 Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey, FL. The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. with the service following at 2:00 p.m.

“To teach is to touch a life forever”

Service

Saturday, July 29, 2017
2:00 PM

Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home - Directions
5228 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34652
727-845-1957

Visitation

Saturday, July 29, 2017
1:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home - Directions
5228 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34652
727-845-1957

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Tribute Wall

Please feel free to sign the guestbook or share a memory

August 04, 2022

John Thompson says:

Mr Coil changed my life in 1973 by encouraging me to travel to Europe and East Africa. I was one of 14 students selected. I studied in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It opened my eyes to the world and to different cultures. He was a role model for me, a friend of my Father's , and an all around amazing person.
July 06, 2017

Dr. Bob Cundiff says:

We from the Clearwater Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, are saddened with this sudden loss, and grieve with his two brothers, James and Bruce, who are also SAR compatriots, with their wives; and Gary's five nieces. It's a sad time, yes. But we rejoice in remembering Gary--his contribution to the education of young lives; Gary's love for genealogy; his activity and contribution to the SAR, where he would have been Clearwater chapter president by the end of this year; And his other contributions to the Rotary Club of Holiday, and his many other civic and genealogical contributions. I'll miss Gary and the times we spent talking about our patriot ancestors--from Virginia and the Battle of Point Pleasant. We talked about our Clearwater SAR chapter, and what he would like to contribute as its next president, and the contribution he made as 2nd and 1st Vice President since he joined. I sat next to him this spring at the State SAR banquet in Kissimmee, and enjoyed his company--as I had many times the last few years. I miss you, Gary. Thanks for your contribution to my life.
July 09, 2017

Jim and Karen LoBianco says:

Gary and I went to Junior High and High school together. What i recall most about Gary was that he was always ready to be your friend and was so to many of our classmates. our sympathy to his family and many friends.
July 09, 2017

Tom Haight says:

So very sad to hear of Gary's passing. Was a teacher @ Seminole HS with him for many years and enjoyed working with him. Both of us were rabid college football fans--my Iowa Hawkeyes v his FL Gators. We often bought different football recruiting magazines, sending them to each other. In later years, Gary was a wonderful source of information for my family's history. He will be greatly missed; so many SHS students now know how to pack a suitcase correctly and tie a tie with Gary's advice during those years of traveling with him, home and abroad. Memories of you forever, Gary! --Tom Haight
July 10, 2017

Livia Wein says:

I was so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was my mentor as an American history teacher at Seminole High for a couple of years. His support was most appreciated. We continued to teach together at SHS for many years to come. We also traveled to Europe with student groups several summer. Gary loved trivia and was extremely knowledgable about his facts which he loved to share. His students loved to listen to Gary's detailed stories and appreciated the effort he put into his lessons whether in the classroom or on his many trips. Gary was a dear friend of our family. We will miss him!
July 10, 2017

Tom Twitty says:

Gary was a Sport pro and was a Bogie star.
July 11, 2017

Cindy Ewald says:

I was proud to call Gary my friend and my Rotary Brother! He was passionate about Rotary and it's history. He continued to educate all the West Side 6 presidents from his district! He will truly be missed! RIP Gary!
July 12, 2017

Dom Green says:

As a former student of Mr Coil I always remembered how he had genuine appreciation and interest in his students. He was always so calm and even keeled and made me a better person because he was my teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
July 13, 2017

Sarah Miller says:

Mr.Coil He was my high school teacher at Seminole High School. He was awesome and always interesting. He use to tease me and say "Gal you don't want to go into education". When I graduated from college I substituted at SHS. Mr. Coil said " you didn't listen did you"? He was proud that I went into education.
July 29, 2017

Ray shaner says:

I was so saddened to hear Gary passed away. As cousins we played when I was able to visit the family home. Some of my fondest memories. We talked at length about those days, and his passion for genealogy. Gary will certainly be missed
July 30, 2017

Russ Thompson lit a candle:
August 04, 2017

LYNN EWONAITIS says:

GARY COIL - BEST TEACHER, BEST COACH, BEST PRESIDENT, BEST FRIEND, BEST MAN. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I MISS YOU EVERY DAY MY FRIEND.
September 30, 2017

Brandon Aldridge says:

Mr. Coil was a fantastic teacher and even during some my class struggles always had an uplifting and kind word for me. Before the start of class he would chat football with me and again, always an encouraging word. RIP Mr. Coil. You remain a good one. Thank you for helping become a success. Go Warhawks!
January 16, 2020

Lynn Ewonaitis says:

I still miss you EVERY day Gary, and will always. I realize even more now just what a GOOD MAN you are and how blessed I was to have you in my life for so many years. We had lots of fun times my friend, you taught me a lot, I love you, appreciate you and respect you so much Gary. I just pray that you knew that - here.
June 03, 2021

Stephen Michael Mattei says:

Mr. Coil was a my teacher at Seminole Hight School in the 90s. When you look back at your school years there are very few names that stand out but Mr. Coil was someone that stood out to me. He challenged me to be more and saw some degree of promise in me where other teachers did not. One of the best experiences in school was being his teacher's assistant. Instead of having me do nothing but arrange papers he had me get up in front of a class and review current affairs. He made me move past my fears of public speaking and embrace my love of history. In an otherwise dismal scholastic life this experience filled me with pride and made a lasting impression on me. He was a wonderful person. I thought of him this morning and was dismayed to find out about his passing but happy to read about his continued impact on others. Thank you Mr. Coil for being someone we could look up to and for challenging me.