Sag Harbor native Alexander James Koehne died of meningitis on Friday, March 30, at Stony Brook Hospital. He was 15.
Born in Southampton Hospital on September 21, 1991, to Elizabeth Cary Koehne and James Koehne, he was an enthusiastic student who was actively involved in several interscholastic programs at Pierson High School.
“After stealing the show in role after role on the Pierson stage,” survivors said, “Alex proved to us all what a witty, funny, charming and heartwarming kid he really was.” He was such an integral part of the theater program that his colleagues postponed the latest Pierson production, awaiting his return. Anxious family, friends and community members had high hopes that he “would once again light up the stage and our hearts.”
Nicknamed “Big Al,” he was a skilled football player who played for the Southampton Mariners peewee football program as a young boy. Possessed of what survivors called “a tremendous passion for the sport,” he played football for East Hampton during his middle school years and his freshman year. “Since he could walk and talk,” his family remembered, “Big Al was a diehard New York Giants fan. If Alex wasn’t in school Monday morning, you could bet that the Giants game had run late the night before. And if it wasn’t the Giants, it was the New York Yankees. The Yankees were Alex’s second love.”
In addition to his talents as actor, student and athlete, Alex was known as a great friend—not only to his classmates, but to all.
“Alex never encountered an enemy,” his family recalled. “He loved everyone and everyone loved him.” Polite, sweet and kind, he was also known for a sense of humor that followed him as he grew from a little boy into a young man.
As a member of an extremely large, close and loving family, Alex was a cousin, nephew, grandson, brother and son who never once missed a family function.
“On a hot and sunny Fourth of July,” his family remembered, “you could count on Alex to be the first to slap the flat pool water with a boastful cannonball. On a blustery Christmas morning, as his huge immediate family would attempt to gather around the tree, Alex would be sure to have at least two little cousins or siblings on his lap.”
He loved being with his family. On an average Friday night, he could typically be found at his aunt’s house as long as his loved ones were present, Conca D’Oro pizza was warming in the oven and sports was on television. “Big Al was there with his smile and laugh to warm the room,” his family said.
Predeceased by his grandfather George Cary, Alex is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Cary Koehne; his father, James Koehne; and three sisters, Kaci, Kelly and Katy Koehne.
He is also survived by both his grandmothers, Elizabeth Cary and Jean Koehne; his grandfather Raymond Koehne; 13 aunts; 13 uncles; and 40 first cousins.
A funeral was held on Tuesday, April 12, at St. Andrew’s Church, followed by interment at St. Andrew’s Cemetery. The ceremony included a bagpipe player who wore the family’s Scottish tartan, and the release of five doves.
In lieu of flowers, donations made in Alex’s name to the Division of Critical Care at Stony Brook University Medical Center’s Department of Pediatrics, T11 040 Health Sciences Center, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8111 would be appreciated by the family.
Donations may be made to the Koehne family via the United in Faith Ministry, c/o St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church, 122 Division Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963.
on Mar 10, 2009