Dennis Allen "Denny" Doyle

PENN YAN- After a proper happy hour with his family, Dennis "Denny" Allen Doyle, 81, of Penn Yan, N.Y. passed away peacefully at the Penn Yan Manor Nursing Home on August 19, 2024.

Denny was born on September 24, 1942, in the Bronx, New York City to Dennis Patrick Doyle and Alice Lofthouse Doyle. Denny grew up in Penn Yan, attending St. Michael's School, Penn Yan Middle School, and Penn Yan Academy. Despite his 5'4" small size, he was a fiercely competitive, first-string athlete in any sport he played: baseball, basketball, track and field, even football. Denny was proudly known on the playing field as 'Tater'.

After graduating from Penn Yan Academy in 1961, Denny enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was deeply proud of serving in the Navy 1961-1965 and lived the values he learned through his service: respect, honor, hard work, and discipline. In the Navy, Denny was stationed in Miramar, CA, where he worked as a fighter jet mechanic and was recruited to the U.S. Navy Baseball team.

Denny's strong commitment to service and community continued long after his Naval service. He actively served as a Penn Yan volunteer firefighter in the Ellsworth Hose Company for over two decades. He regarded the training and experience he received as a firefighter as pivotal to shape his future career as an OSHA-certified safety officer and safety trainer for large-scale construction projects. Denny's commitment to community and safety was more than a career, it was his passion.

It was after his discharge from the Navy that Denny worked a job at the Ford dealership in Penn Yan. Denny sold a car to Don Jensen and met Don's daughter, Kathleen who happened to go along with her dad to look at the car. Kathleen was unimpressed with Denny's smug "greaser" look, but he was persistent and eventually, she agreed to a date. The two were married 13 months later at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Stanley on September 6, 1969. They welcomed children Christine, Dennise, and Daniel and raised their kids in Penn Yan. Denny was always very proud of his three kids, but it was his grandchildren, Morgan, Kieran, Grace, Max, Henry, Tate, and Lucy, who truly stole his heart.

Denny participated in sports his whole life: playing in adult leagues, calling Penn Yan games on WFLR radio, yelling at the TV, or sideline coaching at his kid's and (later) grandkid's games. He was a lifelong self-described 'car buff' and loved anything having to do with cars. Denny relished trips to the ocean with his kids and grandkids. He celebrated the holidays with full abandon, particularly Christmas and St. Patrick's Day; he loved to dress head to toe in festive outfits and serve up a special drink to toast surrounded by family and friends. Denny never knew a stranger and could carry a conversation, with anyone, at any time for any number of hours. He thrived in the limelight and eagerly gave a speech or took a mic at any opportunity. He was always eager to serve up a cocktail, grill a fantastic meal, and open his home to anyone. Denny knew how to enjoy life and the people in it.

Denny is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathleen; his children Christine (Kevin) Opela, Dennise (Shane) Peagler, and Dan (Ashley) Doyle; his grandchildren Morgan & Kieran Opela, Grace, Max, & Henry Peagler, and Tate & Lucy Doyle; and numerous extended family and friends.

Calling hours will be held at Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan, N.Y. on Friday (August 23) 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 312 Liberty St., Penn Yan, N.Y. on Saturday (August 24) at 1:30 p.m. After a family-only interment in St. Theresa's Cemetery in Stanley, N.Y., the family welcomes all friends and family to meet them for a drink and good food at the Elks Club, 133 Main Street, Penn Yan, N.Y. around 3:30pm Saturday (August 24).

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to support the amazing local services that made Denny's last days comfortable and dignified: The Manor Crest Foundation, 655 North Liberty Street, Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527, or the First Aid Closet by the Dresden United Methodist Church, 60 Cornelia Street, Dresden, N.Y. 14441 (checks made out to Dresden United Methodist Church and note "First Aid Closet" in the memo section). To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit townsendwoodzinger.com