Edward T. Coyne of Edgartown died Oct. 19. He was 75 years old.

Ed was born May 18, 1930, in Portland, Me. After attending school in Portland, he became a longshoreman at the age of 15, and at 16 a merchant seaman. During the Korean Conflict he was a member of the 11th Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.

Ed was a man of many talents, working tug boats in New York harbor, prospecting in Nevada and union organizing in San Francisco, Calif. He was a single parent in the days when that was uncommon for a man. He was a feminist, helping many women to obtain nontraditional jobs as union laborers and ironworkers. He was a political activist his whole life and was a beat and a hippie.

Ed will be remembered most for the friendship he gave the people in his life, both to those close to him and to those he encountered along the way. It was unlikely that you would ever forget Ed once you meet him.

Ed is survived by his longtime companion, Joanne Plante, daughter Ellen Coyne, son Greg Conley, brother Thomas Coyne and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ed's life will be held Nov. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 60 Cook street in Edgartown. All are welcome. Please bring a dish.

Donations in Ed's memory may be made to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to the Salvation Army, 147 Berkeley street, Boston, MA 02116.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.