The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-10-19
BY THE OUT EASTER

Bernard P. Coyle of Sylvan Avenue was one of the recent deaths of Waterbury. The old Abrigador knew him; so did the more aristocratic name of Washington Hill, adopted some 40 years ago by certain big-wigs, who never liked the name "Abri- gador"; still these people were Irish themselves. They have since died, or moved to the so-called Cracker Hill" sections of the city. There are people just like that, you know; you find them as a rule at the swanky Country Club or at the Waterbury Club.
 Born on the Abrigador, Ber- nie Coyle first attended the old Washington School; he was there in the nineties, holding on until he passed down town to the high school, of which he was 8 gradu- ate. And still this education of his, didn't keep him out of "the shop" as we called it in those days. We were all thrown into "the shop" just as soon as our labor age was reached. No one did anything for the young of the nineties; neither did the church nor state. If we did any, thing wrong, we were threatened with the Meriden reform school; that was imbedded in us, from the minute we were able to un- yn lad just as the rabble did in ancient cities; the Y.M.C.A. extended its hand; so did the Salvation Army, but we didn't know enough to accept; we were told not to, why, we could never understand. But today we doff our hat to the Sal- vation Army. Of all the welfare bodies here, the Salvationists were the only ones who gave many of us lift in the hectic days of 1929.
 Bernie Coyle knew all of this. We met for the first time out in the old spoon shop. He was by far better workman than the average: he understood more than some of the rest of us; he was quicker to grasp complex questions in the layout of the work of the day. He begged of us to get away from the old buff wheel, where he found us upon his first appear ance. But we couldn't; we knew nothing else; it was all that we were trained for.
 Joins First Force
 Better things came for him as the years rolled along; still, he had a hobby for the fire depart ment, and within short time we saw him leave to enter the force. We have since learned that he was first assigned to Truck Com pany No I, and never left that company. A studious fellow, Ber- nie kept to his room much of the time; when he wasn't reading some classic, his spare time was taken up with shoe repair work for some of his associates. He understood cobbling thoroughly, was familiar with carpenter work, understood drawings and sketch eS, and was classed as one of the handieSt men at headquarters.
 A year or two ago, he tired of it all, and sought retirement. He had earned his release, under the chcarter. But as usual red tape held up the application tenn porarily, or until the official nod of approval was received from the council.
 Retired firecnen live, mindful of the end at any moment. Their lungs are stuffed with messy and creeping bacteria, Snuffed in from the toxic and deadly fumes of 8 cellar fire. Just notice the heck ling cough of the average fire men; this peculiar cough has been the cause of hundreds of firemen being turned down for insurance in the past. It's tough life, after all, for the firemen. He more than earns what he is paid.
 Proved Good Citizen
 Benny" Coyle was good citi-. zen. He was properly a home man." and lived a life devoted to his family. Never was he prom inent in any way, but as a young fellow we remember his days on the amateur ball field as a pitch CT. He played with several teams on the Hill, including the Col den Stars of olden days. And then, too, in the Police-Firemen's field days, he was seen on the mound for the Fire Department. He talked little, and yet when subjects of the day were raised. he