It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather Jim (James) Henry Doyle on Thursday, February 17th, 2022.
Left to mourn his passing is the love of his life Frances, sons Collin (Carolyn) and Clifton (Sheri), daughter Crystal (Warren) and honorary son Jan Lee. Jim was especially fond of his grandchildren Ariel (Daniel), Aidan (Brittany), Aurora, Tristan, Vestan, Mason, and Emily. Jim will also be missed by his siblings Kathy, Anna, Philip, Clifford (Grace), Marianne (Dale), Ted (Lori), his in-laws Helene (David), Robert (Gloria), Alfred (Iris), as well as his numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jim was predeceased by his parents John and Mary Doyle, Mother Angela Guimond, parents’ in-law Arthur and Ivy Beghin, and sister Angele Chartier.
Jim was born on February 26th, 1953, in Bissett, Manitoba. His early childhood was spent in Manigotagan and Powerview before moving to Transcona at age five. When he was 10 the family moved to St.Boniface where many of his early friendships were made. While attending school in St.Boniface he would meet the love of his life Frances at a bus stop and utter the immortal line “look up, cause no one can see how beautiful you are!”. Jim was a hopeless romantic who never stopped writing love letters to Frances, and their 51 years of marriage is the example their children follow. Dad’s love for mom was endless, she was the light of his life, and they were destined to be.
Jim began his career sweeping the floor at Best Brand Meats and ended his time there as General Manager 18 years later. He would go on to manage Wasenikan Window Manufacturing at Black River First Nation, and later work as a production manager at Atlas Graham. In the midst of his management career, he branched off into the autobody industry, learning the trade from his cousin Ray Frey, and later running the shop himself. Carpentry, autobody and mechanical repair, landscaping, renovating, dad learned it all, and more importantly how to do it properly. Fastidious in most things, if he didn’t know something, he made sure he learned.
Whether it was watching Crystal play baseball, or the boys play hockey and football, dad celebrated all his children’s accomplishments. Dad valued family, loving and treating Warren, Sheri, and Carolyn as if they were his own children. He shared his passion for playing and listening to music with his family and was an accomplished guitar player and entertainer. Singing and playing in church, by the campfire, or participating in dinner theatre, he loved entertaining. He was also proud to watch his sons perform on stage, and even had occasion to join them.
Fridays at the Legion were of supreme importance to Jim, where he would gather with his friends, enjoy a scotch, and solve the world’s problems. Dad was True Blue, a season ticket holder, and a Bomber-dog aficionado. He spent many a happy night celebrating a Bomber win in the parking lot with a post-game beer and cigar and was overjoyed to see back-to-back Grey Cup wins. Dad was a member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed giving back to his community by volunteering throughout his life, a trait he passed down to his family. Jim was a proud member of Black River First Nation and cherished the friends he made in the community.
Dad’s most precious role was being a grandpa. He adored his grandchildren and found purpose in helping them to learn new things. When your grandpa is the smartest man you know, you value his wisdom. He took great pleasure in teaching them how to use tools and had recently bought guitars for his grandchildren so he could give them lessons. He enjoyed babysitting his younger grandchildren, and swimming with them in the summer was a special time. He was always there to help his grandchildren with rides, car repairs, or advice. Grandpa told the best stories, and he had special relationships with each of his grandchildren. He was attentive to their needs as individuals and reveled in their accomplishments. They were his blessing.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jacqueline Dirks and the nurses from ward 5 at Grace Hospital, Dr. Marcus Brown and Dr. Dwayne Funk and the ICU team at HSC-JJ3, Dr. Julie Ho, Dr. Shaw, Dr. Karpinski, and Dr. Rush. Also, a special thank you to Angela at the HSC Renal Clinic, and to Dr. David Marsh for helping explain everything to the family at such a difficult time. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to The Dream Factory at www.thedreamfactory.ca. Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 4th, 7pm at Park City West Community Centre, 115 Sanford Fleming Road in Transcona. While vaccination requirements are no longer mandatory, the family respectfully requests that only those who are vaccinated attend. Those who wish to can offer condolences visiting Jim’s memorial page at seasonsfunerals.com and clicking on the Memory Wall tab.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Henry Doyle Thursday February 17th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Oakbank, Province: Manitoba