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Leo Doyle Obituary
Leo Albert Doyle died on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the age of 88, following a short illness. He was born on December 14, 1936, at Black Point, Sydney Mines.
Dad was the second youngest of Josephine (Harrietha) and Walter Edward Doyle’s eleven children. He attended St John’s Elementary and Notre Dame High School, before heading off to Xavier Junior College. Following a year working in the pit at Princess Colliery, he headed to St. Francis Xavier University in 1957 and graduated with a B.A. in 1959. He continued at St. FX, where he received a Bachelor of Education in 1960, and wrapped up his collegiate hockey career.
Leo loved sport. He even named our dog Sport! He was inspired by his older brothers, Ed and Jim. Sport introduced him to a wider world when he joined big brother Ed on a 1949, six day, seven game baseball tour of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with the Sydney Mines Royals Junior Team. Leo served as the team’s batboy and called it “the trip of a lifetime for a twelve-year-old, who had never set foot off Cape Breton Island.” They travelled across two provinces in the back of an old canvas-top, army truck, playing games in Antigonish, Stellarton, Sackville, Dieppe and Shediac. He loved baseball and every moment of that road trip: the ferry ride to the mainland, eating in restaurants: “a plate of beans and all-the-bread-you-can eat, for 75 cents!”, he recalled.
That enthusiasm, and guidance from seven sisters, made Leo a perfect fit for Mary Anne MacMillan. She was a recent nursing grad when they married in 1963. They shared a love of music, sport, and adventure. Over their first eight years of marriage, they welcomed five sons, Joe, Walter, Leo Blaise, Patrick and David, who were born in three different communities stretching from North Sydney, NS, to Fort Rae, Northwest Territories. As a nurse and teacher couple, their careers travelled well. Their love of teaching, the arts and sport helped them to build life-long relationships among the Dene of Behchokǫ̀. Leo’s teaching also included St Joseph School, North Sydney, Antigonish East, Sydney Mines High, and Florence Elementary.
Both Leo and Mary Anne were inducted into the Cape Breton Sport Hall of Fame as “Builders” for speedskating. Leo enjoyed individual distinction for coaching youth baseball and hockey teams that won Maritime and Atlantic Canadian championships on multiple occasions. A former player said Leo was one of the few coaches, who modelled an “expectation” that his team would win, regardless of the opponent or level of competition. Leo enjoyed teaching, and coaching sport was his preferred methodology. It connected him to youth in ways that fostered trust and improved their prospects.
Leo Albert Doyle’s family mourns his passing but celebrates the rich legacy he leaves.
Leo was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Mary Anne, in 2014, and is survived by his five sons: Joe (Linda-Ray), Leduc, AB, Walter Ichikawa-Doyle (Norie), Nagano, Japan, Leo Blaise (Mede), Ottawa, Patrick (Leanne), Sydney River, David (Capri), Vancouver; his grandchildren Heather, Andrew, Julia, Mara, Taylor, Frances, Ryan, Matthew, Callie, Chase, Drina and Cole; great-grandchildren, Jensen and Casey. He is survived by two siblings, brother Jim (Maureen), Halifax, and sister Anne (the late Vince) Isaac, Edmonton; by sister-in-law Kay (Mac) Batherson, and brothers-in-law, John C. (Karen) MacMillan, Normie (Linda) MacMillan, Malcolm (Linda) MacMillan, all from the Northside; sister-in-law: Mary Beth MacMillan, Moncton, numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Besides his parents, Leo was predeceased by his sisters Lucy (Sam) Lamey, Nellie (Neil) MacPhee, Medie (Hector) Boutilier, Monica (Wilfrid) Ramsey, Elizabeth (Sam) MacLean, and brothers Jack and Edward (Nora) Doyle. He is also predeceased by in-laws who were both family and friends: Charlie and Diane MacMillan, Dennis MacMillan, Dave and Marg Ratchford.
Gracious thanks to those who took great care of Leo at the Northside Community Guest Home Fowler Hall and Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
A Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton. Online condolences may be sent to the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall at www.wjdooley.com.
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December 14 1936 February 24 2025 88 Years Old
Death notice for the town of: North-Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice Leo Albert Doyle December 14 1936 February 24 2025 88 Years Old
obituaries notice Leo Albert Doyle December 14 1936 February 24 2025 88 Years Old
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Leo Albert Doyle December 14 1936 February 24 2025 88 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.