Riverdale native William Colomba Clyne dies at 53

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William Colomba Clyne, 53, of Norwalk, Connecticut died suddenly on Sept. 21, after a brief illness. Born and raised in Riverdale, he was a self-practicing attorney. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kim Haiback Clyne, and their four loving children, William, 19; Thomas, 18; Hugh, 14; and Cecilia, 12. In addition, he leaves behind his mother, Kathryn Fitzgerald Clyne of Riverdale; a sister, Kak Elzinga, of Boise, Idaho, and her husband and daughter; a sister, Mary Helen Bayerle of Waterbury, Vermont, and her husband and two daughters; and a brother, John, also of Riverdale. He is predeceased by his father, Dr. William C. Clyne, Sr. 

Mr. Clyne was a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, Clark University and St. John’s University School of Law. His legal career began as a court attorney at the Supreme Court, Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department in Brooklyn in 1990. Thereafter, he practiced insurance defense litigation and served as staff counsel for both the Hartford and AIG insurance companies. He began his private practice in 1998.

Mr. Clyne was a devoted and loving husband and father who was deeply involved with the various athletic activities of his four children, including multiple stints as a baseball coach in the Norwalk Little League, as a basketball coach at Our Lady of Fatima School in Wilton, Connecticut and in the off-season for Brien McMahon High School. He was a passionate and devoted coach whose priority was player development at all skill levels. Mr. Clyne was also an accomplished blues harmonica player and an avid gardener. 

Burial took place at Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.  In lieu of flowers, an education fund has been established for the children at: www.youcaring.com/other/the-clyne-family-fund-llc/238763. Please visit www.collins-funeral.com to leave condolences or to contribute.

William Colomba Clyne