Angela Paradise, whose son Owen Coyne died, has written a tribute to Coyne and asked the Current to share it. Coyne was a Marblehead High School senior and three-sport athlete. He died of a hemorrhage not caused by an impact, according to Paradise.
Here is Paradise’s message:
“It is with profound sadness and indescribable grief that we share that Owen passed away after a sudden brain hemorrhage. Owen (Owie to his family, OC to his friends, teammates and coaches ) was the sweetest soul you’ll ever meet — truly a gift! Owen was a wonderful, respectful son, a doting older brother to Grady, Landon and Ella, and a beloved grandson, cousin and nephew. He surrounded himself with the very best friends and teammates a boy could have.
O’s kindness, positivity, warmth and humble nature left an indelible mark on everyone he met during his brief 17 years on earth. He was a proud captain of the MHS Football team (and he was so very pumped for this season!), a talented and much-loved sailing instructor for the town of Marblehead, an avid boater and the very best captain of our boat, Coyne Collection, a valuable teammate of the MHS varsity baseball and track teams, and a member of the CYC where he spent his childhood summers canon-balling into the pool.
Owen loved Marblehead fiercely, and Marblehead loved him right back. A stellar student-athlete, Owen had recently announced his commitment to pursue his academic and football career at Williams College next fall. The day we visited this campus, toured the grounds and met the team and staff, we knew then that Owen had found his
next “home.” That we will never see our Owie pursue his college dreams after working so very hard throughout high school to earn his spot at Williams is beyond heartbreaking.
Owen’s passing is a devastating loss for our family, and we recognize that this is also a staggering loss for our Marblehead community. Owen, you were truly a gift — the BEST gift—to all of us. I am so grateful that I am your mom. I love you with all of my heart and I will miss you every minute of every day until my time on earth is done. Words cannot convey how sorry (and gutted and angry and shattered and confused) I am that you were robbed of your beautiful life with us — and with SO much promise ahead. As your mom , I promise you that I will do my very, very best to remember you, celebrate you, talk about you and carry your legacy forward until my dying day. I love you, my sweet, beautiful Owie. 
“
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Some of Coyne’s Marblehead High School coaches are paying tribute to the senior, who has passed away. Coyne, 18, was football co-captain, played baseball and ran track.
“Owen was one jump away from winning the state championship last year in indoor track, and was a Top 10 sprinter and high jumper in Marblehead High track history,” Track & Field Coach Nolan Raimo wrote to the Current. “He was one of the most gifted student-athletes that I have coached, and his tenacity, passion and care he exhibited in his athletic career was only outdone by his dedication, care and empathy he demonstrated to the people around him.”
Coyne was committed to play football at Williams College next fall, according to Raimo.
“Owen would have been a track captain this upcoming indoor season, and our team will miss one of the best people to ever step onto the track at Marblehead High School. Although football was his primary sport, he treated the sport of track and field and his teammates with the utmost respect and care. He was the epitome of a student-athlete.”
Raimo added: “Owen’s future was bright for so many reasons. He listened and acted with intention in every aspect of his life. I saw Owen face daunting challenges on the track with confidence and belief. It was inspirational. Success and defeats were both met with incredible grace and humility. He was dedicated, disciplined and passionate throughout every season. He was the most coachable student-athlete I have worked with. To those who don’t know Owen, he was a person you would cheer for with enthusiasm, and somebody who you wanted to see succeed, because of how kind, caring and passionate he was. He did all the things right from the smallest to biggest things. We are products of our environment, and every environment was better with Owen in it.”
Raimo concluded: “This is a depth of sadness that is indescribable. I’m devastated for his family, friends and peers,
because we lost the best of the best. We are lucky to have had Owen on this earth for the time we did, because we witnessed someone who was truly special.” All of us, close and far from Owen, lost someone who can never be replaced.”
MHS Baseball coach Mike Giardi posted remembered Coyne in this post on social media: “It is with a heavy heart that the Marblehead baseball family announces the passing of senior Owen Coyne. Owen was a great baseball player, but an even better person. He was a valued member of our baseball family, and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Owen’s family, friends, teammates, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.”
