Feb. 1, 2023

Regis Raymond Coyle passed away early on Feb. 1 after a four-year battle with cancer. Regis, 66, was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and moved to Bakersfield in the summer of 1969. He graduated from Highland High School where he was a standout football player. He formed some of his lifelong friendships during those years with fellow students in the East Bakersfield area. Many remember Regis as adventurous and loved how colorful a storyteller he could be.

He went on to play football at Bakersfield College before earning his bachelor’s degree in business at Cal State University, Bakersfield. He moved to the Los Angeles area after graduation and remained a resident of the Glendale/Pasadena and La Crescenta communities. Regis had a long career with Roscoe Moss Manufacturing Company, working 40 years until he retired as vice president of Operations. His career took him to Egypt and Botswana, Africa where he immersed himself in other cultures and customs.   

Football was one of the joys of Regis’ life. He was an active member for over 35 years of the Long Beach Referee Association. Regis was an avid fisherman and often fished the Kern River and the central coast.  

A lifelong Catholic, Regis was a daily mass attendee in the later years of his life. Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose was his home church. He became a knight with the Knights of Columbus (K of C). Service and volunteerism were both hugely important to Regis. He was a devoted member of Brothers’ Helpers, an organization committed to feeding the homeless population. Whether through his generosity or his colorful personality, he always looked for a way to make life for others a little better, more enjoyable, more exciting and more festive. Regis will be remembered for his caring spirit, his originality and his zest for life.  

Regis was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Gloria Coyle and brothers Michael and Daniel Coyle. He is survived by brothers Pat (Nancy) and Tim (Karen); sister-in-law MaryAnne; three nieces; four nephews; seven grandnieces and nephews and his ex-wife Tammi Smith-Coyle.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated today, Feb. 16 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2411 Montrose Ave., at 11 a.m. and a memorial service will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast, 3700 River Blvd. in Bakersfield on Friday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Regis’ family asks that you honor him by donating to caltrout.org, fishforlife.org or your favorite charity.

“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.”