Maurice Coyret (83) has passed away

MORANGIS - A big name in French artistic billiards, Maurice Coyret (83) has passed away in his hometown last night. The French player left us after after a long illness. He was three times French champion artistic in his career and even twenty times vice-champion .

For his major achievements in the artistic billiards, the Challenge Coyret was named after him. The tournament, in Morangis where he lived, was held this year between 14 and 16 June.

Maurice Coyret was a great organizer, but a very known artistic and one cushion player as well. He was one of the French top players in the era of Jean Marty and Dufetelle.

,,His death is a sad loss to the artistic world,'' said Jean Reverchon, one of the great champions in this discipline. ,,Maurice and my father, Pierre Reverchon, now 81, have organized many CEB Grand Prix tournaments in St. Maur, the club that was founded by my father and has grown to one of the biggest clubs in France.''

,,Maurice and my father meant a great deal to the artistic billiards. That is gone now: Maurice has died, unfortunately, and my father is too old.''

Jean-Paul Sinanian, president of the French federation, payed tribute to the memory of Maurice.

,,We were informed that tonight, at 2.00 pm, about the death of Maurice Coyret after a long, courageous and dignified fight. Until the very end, he showed his passion for his sport amid his billiards friends.

Maurice Coyret was an extraordinary personality in billiards, a master in all disciplines with great technical qualities. He will also be remembered for his many, hard work for artistic billiards.

His method was exemplary: he gave his time and his money to give an impulse to his sport, turning to account his network and its innate sense to make contacts. Maurice Coyret inspired current top players like Reverchon Touré and Tran to develop themselves in the artistic discipline. We will always remember him for his great commitment and passion .

I myself remember the emotions during this year's Challenge Coyret with the presence of Yves Baïs and Jacques Jaumotte. Thank you, Mr. President Gerald Truffaut, for this organization.

Few people will have made such an indelible impression. Nobody could remain indifferent to Mauritius. Sometimes, he gave the impression of a gentle, very kind man, but with his strong personality, Maurice fought for his right.

When I took responsibility for the artistic billiards, ten years ago, I tried to listen to his advice, but times had changed.

I know for sure that he already has started, in the paradise of billiard players, to instruct the ’serie Americaine.’

We think about his wife and family.

Farewell, great artist.''

Jean-Paul Sinanian
President of the French billiard federation.