Dan DOYLE

DOYLE, Dan, BA, M.Ed
1929 - 2015
A lifelong educator, coach and community builder in Coquitlam, Dan was a much respected biology teacher with a passion to initiate high school athletics and community recreation. Following graduation from UBC in 1953, Dan helped put high school sports, and especially football, on the map in British Columbia. He was a founding member of the Coquitlam Secondary Athletic Association, and co-author of the constitution establishing BC School Sports, the governing body of high school competitive sports in the province today. A leader, teacher, coach and vice-principal at Como Lake Secondary and its successor, Centennial Secondary School, for which he established new paradigms of organization, Dan built high school football in Coquitlam starting at Como Lake in 1954, and later being instrumental in Centennial winning the inaugural provincial high school football championship in 1966 during what became his 33 year active coaching career. In Coquitlam, the football Junior Varsity District Championship trophy is awarded in Dan's name. In addition, with his reverence to sport as a way of life, the Doyle Award, now in its 59th year, is presented annually to the student athlete(s) at Centennial that most demonstrate the physical, mental and moral character seen as fulfilling this way of life. Dan was recognized as a pioneer by the BC Lions, and was an inaugural inductee to the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame. He remained active in the BC Secondary Schools Football Association that he founded. Dan's two decades of volunteer engagement included bringing to life a civic parks and recreation structure in Coquitlam. He was the first Chairman of Coquitlam's Parks and Recreation Commission, later to become a department of municipal government. Despite his public roles, Dan was perhaps most happy to work behind the scenes in support of sports and community projects and to mentor those who would later become role models themselves in education and within the community at large. He took great pride in seeing a number of his players follow him into education, start sports programs of their own or be successful in various chosen fields. Dan had a demeanour that was welcoming and encouraging to all who crossed his path in life. Home life remained as reverential as the community engagement of his professional endeavours. His commitment to family was absolute. Into their 60th year of marriage, Dan is survived by his wife Alleyne; son Jess; and brothers Bob, Norman and Gordon. He was predeceased by brothers Bernie and Ben. The family asks that you refrain from contacting them directly. Memorial on April 25, 2015 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Como Lake School, 1121 King Albert Ave., Coquitlam. Tax deductible donations toward replacing the scoreboard at Centennial can be made to: Centennial School, 570 Poirier Street Coquitlam, BC V3J 6A8, Tel. 604-936-7205.