Obituaries

Daniel Francis Doyle, III

May 9th, 2017

Daniel Francis Doyle, III
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Daniel Francis Doyle, III, 70, passed away suddenly on May 9th, 2017 in his home in South Yarmouth, MA. Born in Lynn, MA on August 16th, 1946, he was the son of the belated Daniel F. Doyle, Jr., and Mary Grimes Doyle Many names were assigned to him: Dan, Danny, Sargent, Dad, and Gramps, and was beloved by all with whom he interacted. Dan is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Chris and Karen Doyle of Simpsonville, South Carolina; his son and daughter-in-law Patrick and Dacia Doyle of LaFayette, Georgia; his daughter and son-in-law Katie and Brandon Williams of Carrollton, Georgia; his grandchildren Elizabeth, Madison, Patrick (PJ), Reece, David and Mallory; his cherished sisters Mary Jo Hathaway, Sarah Ghigliotti, and Terry Rocca; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dan was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, and lived throughout the U.S. while his father was in the Air Force. His formative years were spent in Macon, Georgia, where he attended Mount De Sales High School. He was a renowned athlete, and was inducted into the Mount De Sales Cavaliers Hall of Fame for his football and baseball achievements. Dan later moved to Carrollton, Georgia, where he attended West Georgia College on a baseball scholarship. Prior to graduation, he enlisted into the U.S. Army, and served in the Vietnam War as a Platoon Sargent in the First Air Calvary. He fought in many battles, including the infamous Tet Offensive, and was wounded on three separate occasions, for which he was awarded Purple Hearts. He continued, however, to suffer through the war for the next 48 years. Dan returned to West Georgia College to finish his degree, and remained in Carrollton, Georgia for another 25 years. He later moved to Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, to care for his father, until his passing. All who knew Dan would tell you that he had a big heart, he that he loved sports, his family, and his friends. A memorial service will be planned for this summer on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Guest Book

Betsy O'Brian Reade
#5
Sunday - May 21, 2017 12:00 am

I was sorry to hear of Danny's passing. (I last spoke to him about 10 years ago when he & your father called Mama in Falls Church. Danny was up in MA with your father. Mama died soon afterwards. I heard about this from Elaine Powell Baer. Danny was such a gifted athlete and I know he had a hard time recovering after Vietnam. It brings back memories of Warner Robins. Danny (and everyone else) will be forever young in my memories. Love to you all. Betsy

Rob Hicks
#4
Sunday - May 21, 2017 12:00 am

I had been concerned about Danny over the past few months, since he had failed to make his usual biweekly call to chat about our wonderful memories from school and our mutual time in the military. I really became worried when he didn't return a call I made to him recently......very unusual. Now I know what happened. Of course it saddens me that I won't hear his very familiar voice that I recognized....after 40 years...... the very first time he called 3 years ago. I am so thankful that he did reach out to me a few weeks after our 40th reunion which began a series of phone calls, which I will always cherish. I was amazed that he could remember some of the finest details of our high school days. However I must admit I momentarily questioned how sharp that memory was when he "recalled" what a great ball player I was....I just remember having trouble throwing the ball from home plate to second, either bouncing on the ground or throwing it into center field. He even remembered my old nickname...."the Glove Man," probably because I caught more balls than I could hit. I guess he also remembered how I somehow held onto his blistering fast ball, incredible curve, and his fading drop ball that made the batter swing even when it sometimes bounced on the ground before it crossed the plate. I became acutely aware of his mysterious curve ball after I broke my left thumb tagging a runner at home plate. I found myself more often than not catching that high curve ball with my right hand instead of my gloved hand. I along with everyone else on the team just knew he was on his way to the pros. But his sense of duty to his country took precedent over his desire to play ball, a decision for which he paid dearly incurring a career ending injury in Vietnam. Since I spent my military years in the Air Force, where the most dangerous thing I experienced was slipping on the ice in Thule, Greenland, I felt honored just to say I knew Danny. In those many conversations we had during those calls, one thing stands out.....how much he loved his families....his father and mother, Sarah and Mary Jo, and of course his own family. He always spoke of how wonderful they were, and successful they had been in their adult life. And he spoke often of Mary Ann, what a wonderful mother she was. It was always a little bittersweet for me, knowing that they were no longer together. While talking with him, even now, I remember them standing together in the breezeway at MDS, sometimes with Mary Ann trying to calm him down about on one thing or another. Being his catcher, I felt that Mary Ann and I had something in common...we both tried hard to bring the best out of him.....for me his pitching, for her building up his confidence. His demons may have gotten the best of him after Vietnam…as was the case for many vets who fought in wars ….., but as I talked to him on the phone, it sure sounded like they were no longer there. He seemed to have finally found peace within himself by sharing his life with his neighbors and old friends like me. I really loved that guy, and will always miss him. But I look forward to seeing him once again when we are both with the Lord, talking about our own “Wonder Years” together. Rob Hicks

Chester Pierce
#3
Saturday - May 20, 2017 12:00 am

What a wonderful man Danny was for serving our country for so many years. I have not see Danny for many years but always enjoyed our phone conversations, the most recent about one month ago. My sympathy to the Doyle family. I certainly hope I run into Danny when I leave this world. Sincerely, Chester Pierce

John Hancock
#2
Saturday - May 20, 2017 12:00 am

To all who loved Danny, Danny was my best friend in High School. Obviously I was not HIS best friend. He had so many!! He called me several times throughout the years right out of the blue. We'd reminisce about the "Glory Days". It was always a such a joy to talk with Danny. I see Danny pitching or quarterbacking for the Heavenly all stars. Me? I'll be thrilled to simply sit on the bench and watch! Sorry for his death, happy for his life. John Hancock

Catherine Marshall Garcia
#1
Saturday - May 20, 2017 12:00 am

The FR Marshall/Garcia Families extend our sincere condolences to the Doyle/Lamb Family on the loss of their beloved Daniel Doyle. May God grant you all peace, comfort and understanding at this difficult time.

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