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J. LEE DOYLE (1925 2006)
Date of Passing: Jul 18, 2006
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJ. LEE DOYLE (1925 2006) Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome . Isaac Asimov On July 18, 2006 in his 82nd year with a barbershop song in his head and his family in his heart, Lee left this earth in much the same way that he lived on it on his terms and in his time. He was circled by family, his throttle was fire-walled, and he was cleared for take-off. Lee has been, done and seen many things in life but there were three particular things he was most proud of - his Irish heritage, his lifelong love and shameless promotion of barbershop music, and his family (we are not sure of the order to this day!). Each of his experiences provided fodder for fantastic stories, and his ability to tell them was truly a gift. He has been a student, a businessman, a salesman, a bus driver, a pilot, a hunter, a fisherman, a curler, a chordsman, a C'onservative, a curmudgeon and a sailor in the merchant marines. He would want to be remembered as a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a father-in-law and a friend. He was a very good dad. He was equally proud of his children and grandchildren and he could be overheard telling others about each and every one of us. We have never questioned his absolute love even through the times that we tried his patience and challenged his values by imposing our own. He and Mom raised two sons and six daughters with pleasure and with pride and taught us that any man can make a fortune, but very few can build a family. Dad taught us to be self-reliant, to have the courage of our convictions, to procrastinate when possible, to stretch a good story, to argue well, to laugh often and to sing as best you can. Whatever his children were involved in he could be counted on to be in or near the front row with a smiling face, ready clap and the family whistle. He coached teams, belonged to service clubs, volunteered in the community and sat on many boards and committees. As a grandfather he rocked and sang to many babies and introduced them all to the guilty pleasures of whipped cream, ice-cream, pop and as they got older blue cheese, black beer and single malt scotch. He painted wee fingernails, he filleted fish, he allowed the grandkids to climb on him, dance with him, spill on him and dye his hair (and beard). He built models, flew kites, played cards, trapped bugs, finished jigsaw puzzles and crosswords, polished rocks, beat them all at games and made soup...lots and lots of soup. Dad was predeceased by Esther in 1987, his little sweetheart.' It broke his heart to have also been predeceased by three of his grandchildren, Lee Doyle, Audrey Hyslop, and Ryan Moraal. Surviving him are his eight children, their spouses, his 18 8/9 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. We rejoice in the gift of his life. His needs were simple and few. His gifts were always heartfelt and freely given. He will be missed. Special thanks to the staff in the ICU Unit at Royal Columbian Hospital. Their professionalism, compassion and care for Dad (and all of us, too) was appreciated and will be remembered. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, September 23 at Haps on the Harbourfront, 130 Main St. South, Kenora at 3:00 p.m. (Yes, that's right, September. True to form, it will be late!) Come prepared to share a story and sing a song if you choose. Graveside service at St. Mary's Cemetery in Winnipeg on Monday, September 25 at 11:00 a.m. Flowers declined with thanks. Donations in his memory may be made to: Volunteer Services Royal Columbian Hospital 330 East Columbia St. New Westminster, BC V3L 3W7. Irish Prayer May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need most, May the most you wish for be the least you get, May the Lord keep you in His Hand and never close His fist too tight.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 25, 2006