Obit: Rambling Rick Coyne - Dec. 2011

Subject: Obit: Rambling Rick Coyne
From: briantheflute
Date: 14 Dec 11 - 08:33 AM

Bail ó Dhia oraibh! Greetings and Blessings to all!

It is with great sadness that I inform Members here of the passing of "Rambling Rick Coyne", sometimes also "Portishead Rick, at the beginning of December.

I know a number of Members here knew Rick as well.

Rick was one of the backbones of music and good fun in the northern end of Somerset, and was one of those dedicated people whose energy and input contributed to many of the wonderful cosy nights at "The Old Down", Emborough, up on The Mendips in Somerset.

A wonderful, sprightly, energetic man who conquered some of The World's greatest peaks, a man of compassion, who in later years shared the most blissful life with his dear lovely Moggie.

Rick didn't play too much music instrumentally, though he was a dab hand on the old wash board and was never intrusive.

He did, however, make sure that sessions happened. Simply, he loved it, and in so doing he put as much into a session as any of us who do play an instrument.

I, amongst others, was a recipient of such generous behaviour, often being guided and taken home safely, some 30/40 miles after playing maybe in Bristol or somewhere up on The Mendips. I never learned to drive until I came out here to Tassie, and, as such, I did very much appreciate the hospitality and generosity of those who have always looked out for me.

In his later years, with fingers crippled with arthritis from some of the hardest climbs imaginable he set about learning the Tin Whistle. I am humbled that such a lovely man came to me for tuition.

When I was living on Lundy he came out to visit a number of times and we had many happy hours walking on the island, and I can still picture the joy in his eyes when I shared with him the location of a Peregrine's scrape and he witnessed their feeding sessions.

He learned many beautiful tunes, not just from me, and I would share with you all, the incredible moment for me in Bristol in May 2006, the only time I've been back, when we played "Owen Roe O'Neill's Lament" together, and later "The Eagle's Whistle".

He had friends all over and I'm sure that all who knew him would echo those rich warm tributes to his lovely lady, Moggie, dear family and friends.

Thank you Rick, rest gently

Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas dá anam!


Brian x

Subject: RE: Obit: Rambling Rick Coyne
From: Baz Bowdidge
Date: 14 Dec 11 - 08:42 AM

This is a lovely tribute Brian.

Baz

Subject: RE: Obit: Rambling Rick Coyne - Dec. 2011
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 17 May 12 - 05:05 AM

I came on this lovely tribute quite lately. He was, indeed, a wonderful person with a great deal to give. Tributes like this moving one from you, Brian are one of the main reasons that I instigated the "In Memoriam" thread. These few posts are just the tip of the iceberg. An excellent life.

Best wishes,

Peter