Obituary of Brent Coy

Brent Coy passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at the age of 84.  He was born to Homer and Dale Coy In Mishawaka, Indiana on September 11, 1941.

Brent began his professional career with Bell Laboratories, Whippany, NJ in 1968 as a member of Technical Staff working in Top Secret missile work.  He held four patents in special applications.

He served in various capacities in telephone related technical and manufacturing issues, which led to him holding the titles of Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of Network Cable Systems. He also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of AT&T Cable Systems.  He was featured in an AT&T television commercial focused on stress testing and quality of products with the tag line, "I love wrecking things."

Brent spearheaded the BTL effort to make fiber-to-the-home a reality.  His department managed, developed, and coordinated the R&D and installed the first ever live application.  

He joined the Iridium satellite communication startup on 1996 as Vice President and Program Manager for the commercial activation of the Iridium telephone, paging and messaging system.  After the system was activated, he assumed responsibility as Vice President of Iridium products and services marketing.

His formal education included BS and MS Engineering Sciences and PhD Aeronautics, Astronautics and Engineering Sciences at Purdue University.  He was elected to Purdue's Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.

Brent will be deeply missed by his family and friends.  He leaves behind his wife, Bonnie Coy, two daughters, Catherine Coy and her husband Paul Bravmann of Brooklyn, NY, and Wendy (Jeremy) Shattuck of Portsmouth, RI, a brother, Philip Coy of Cincinatti, OH, and a grandson, Max Bravman.  

A private burial will take place at Hilltop Cemetery in Mendham.