FRANK DOYLE Francis "Frank" Patrick Doyle passed away on December 9, 2023, six months after suffering a debilitating stroke that robbed him of his independence. He was in his 94th year and proud of it. Frank leaves behind his cherished wife of 71 years, Marietta (née Weiser); sons, Tim (Marcia) of Toronto and Peter (Heather) of Port Credit; and beloved daughter, Jane of Toronto. He'll be forever loved and remembered by six grandchildren who made him endlessly proud, Patrick (Rachael) of Vancouver, Christopher of Lausanne, Switzerland, Matthew of Montreal, Sarah of Toronto, Jacob of Calgary and Riley of Vancouver. He is also survived by his adored great-granddaughter, Georgia of Vancouver. Frank was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Sara; and four older siblings, Vincent, Mary, Jack and Sam. Frank was a Hamilton guy, born in the city on January 29, 1930. He lived his entire life in the Hamilton-Burlington area – the east end, Westdale, downtown, Ancaster, Dundas, Burlington and Waterdown - save for his final four months when he was in a west Toronto long-term care centre and closer to his children. His career, however, did take him outside the city of his birth. He worked in purchasing and administrative roles with International Harvester in Hamilton and Burlington, and with McMaster University in Hamilton before embarking on a new career path in Toronto in the 1980's. Over the final years of his career, he worked with the Investment Dealers' Association of Canada and the Canadian Securities Institute, from which he retired as president in 1993. Somehow, early-career with pre-teens at home, he managed to complete a bachelor's degree, by diligently attending seven years of night school at McMaster. And in the midst of that, in 1970, he quit smoking. Frank's work ethic was something he instilled in his family, but he wasn't all work. He also infused his family with his love of sports. If he could get to a child's or grandchild's event, he would be there, whether it was hockey, basketball, football, baseball or swimming. Basketball was a particular favourite, and it gave him frequent opportunities to recall his own playing days at Cathedral High School in Hamilton. Later, he learned to ski and joined his sons on the slopes, although could rarely keep up. But, he did hold his own on the golf course, his game honed by years of play at Dundas Valley and at Flamborough Hills, where he continued to play into his late 80s. Frank was also a keen spectator of professional sports. PGA golf was always on the TV, unless, of course, his beloved Blue Jays were playing. He attended more than 20 consecutive opening days and shared a special love of the Jays with his daughter, Jane. Like the athletes he followed and admired, Frank was fiercely competitive. He wanted to win, board games against his grandchildren, trivia or bingo games against his fellow seniors at the Williamsburg in Burlington, or whatever category came up in Jeopardy. Few could match his knowledge of trivia, especially sports and entertainment from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. He had an encyclopedic memory for big moments, and created a few for his family, including the night in July 1969, when he pulled off the QEW in St. Catharines and checked everyone into a motel because he didn't want his sons to miss the first men to walk on the moon. Frank and Marietta loved to travel, especially when they could visit Peter's growing family in faraway locales like Hong Kong, Manila or Dubai. Frank was proud to have an international wing in his family and enjoyed the journey (Queen Mary II, anyone?) almost as much as the destination. When they weren't travelling, Frank was happy to be at home, especially during the Waterdown years, where the grandchildren could hang around the pool while Frank manned the grill and served up chicken and burgers. On special evenings, dessert was marshmallows toasted over the fire pit, complete with his directions on how to find the perfect shade of gold. More festive occasions called for roast turkey, and Frank always enlisted the grandkids as official turkey tasters. And no matter the fare, each meal came with a side order of granddad jokes. He did have an impressive sense of humour, and even in his final days at Wesburn Manor, he kept everyone smiling with his cheerful and continuous banter. The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at the Williamsburg Retirement Residence and Joseph Brant Hospital, both in Burlington, and the Wesburn Manor long-term care centre in Toronto. Cremation has taken place. Frank will be remembered at a private family gathering. In lieu of flowers, donations gratefully accepted by Community Living London, Good Shepherd Ministries Hamilton or the
Charity of Your Choice. Arrangements entrusted to Smith's Funeral Home, Burlington, (905) 632-3333.
www.smithsfh.comPublished by The Globe and Mail from Dec. 16 to Dec. 20, 2023.