FRANKLIN — Seventy-nine-year-old Franklin native William Coit Jr. said his life contains three major passions, God, his family and sports. 

However the outgoing community mentor that many refer to as “coach” can be seen religiously at Anytime Fitness in Franklin talking about those three passions and encouraging others to get in a good day’s workout before the day is done.

“I have been coming to the gym since January 1993 back when Franklin had Vital Fitness,” Coit said.

The dedication to a healthy lifestyle came after what could have been a life-altering setback 27 years ago.

“I had an accident in March of 1991. I had 59,000 volts of electricity run through me while working at Cabot Corp.,” Coit said.

“ I went through 28 operations. I had a broken jaw and all my teeth collapsed. I had carpal tunnel problems and my feet had to be reconstructed,” he said.  

“The doctors told me negative things like I would never walk again, I wouldn’t be able to lift over 5 pounds and that I would need a caretaker for the rest of my life, but I kept a positive mindset,” Coit said.

After two years of doctor prescribed rehab, Coit took it upon himself to join a gym and work on his body one workout at a time.

“The reason I promote fitness is because the Lord has blessed me,” he said. 

“I don’t have aches and pains. I feel like I’m in my early 40s and I’m 79 approaching four scores,” he said. 

Coit  has been a widow since November 1992. His three children  William Coit III, Lamonika Dwyer and Tryanne Coit all know of their father’s dedication to health. 

Coit said he sees friends at church in the grocery store and of course in the gym and he encourages them to stick with their workouts.

“I feel like my friends wouldn’t have these physical problems if they were coming to the gym because it has helped me. I take a limited amount of medication and I feel good each day.

Ben Vosburgh, manager at Anytime Fitness in Franklin, said the gym enthusiasts regard Coit as family.

“He’s one of our most consistent members and cheerful,” Vosburgh said. 

“He always has a smile,  always upbeat, always positive and when he’s here its a brighter day because of it,” he said. 

“I think when members see Coit here, seeing what he does, I think it lets them know if he can do it, I can do it,” Vosburgh said.

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