Fr. Martin Coyne, SJ, was born July 30, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois. He entered the Society of Jesus on September 1, 1953 at Milford, Ohio; he completed his Noviciate and Juniorate there.

Marty took Philosophy studies at West Baden Springs, Indiana from 1957-1960, earning an M.A. degree in philosophy from Loyola University, Chicago. His regency began at the Chicago Province Mission Office, and in 1961 he moved to Nepal for regency at St. Xavier’s School, Godavari.

He studied theology first at Pune (1963-1964) and then at Kurseong (1964-1967). Bishop Eric Benjamin, of Darjeeling, ordained him on March 20, 1966. Fr. Marty's tertianship was in 1967 at Sitaghara; he pronounced his final vows at Godavari on November 5, 1978. 

Ministry
From 1968 through 1980 he served, at St. Xavier’s Godavari School in various ways:  as Teacher, Principal, Rector, and School Treasurer, and moved to St. Xavier’s Jawalakhel as Principal in 1981. Treatment for a brain tumor sidelined him for a year in Chicago; he then took a year of part time work back in Jawalakhel. Fr. Marty continued as Principal through 1992.

After a sabbatical, he became the Local Superior at the Human Resources Development Research Center, and served as Socius to the Regional Superior. In 2001, while still Socius, he moved to Campion House and served as Minister, and 2003-2004 Superior, to the community. 

In 2004 he moved back to the Human Resources Development Research Center. 

Fr. Marty moved to St. Xavier’s Jawalakhel in 2007, to serve as student counselor, and continued this service into November 2013.  He contracted hepatitis A and received good treatment, but his liver was not up to keeping him well.  He passed away at Alka Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 31, 2013.

Marty was a quiet introvert who pushed ahead when called to lead.  He wanted clear guidelines for all and expected others to follow them. He stuck to these principles, so that his areas of responsibility ran well.    

Yet his compassion overruled any other laws. He could turn a shaking and guilty student in the principal’s office into a humble young man accepting the principal’s pardon, as well as punishment. He always had time for a quiet chat with a community member. This virtue was his joy during these last years at St. Xavier’s, Jawalakhel.  Until his last illness he would daily be at the school gate to welcome students, tour the grounds during class breaks, and again man the gate until the last of the students could leave for home.   

May Fr. Marty, now in heaven with God’s family, help us share God’s loving mercy with one another, a mercy Marty shared with everyone in his life. We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.