Dr. Thomas J Doc Doyle

Dr. Thomas J "Doc" Doyle, 93, of Eagle River, went to his heavenly home on December 19, 2022. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held in May, 2023 with details to be released closer to that time.
Tom was born in Mineral Point, WI and grew up during the Great Depression. He developed a strong work ethic working at the family greenhouse and bicycling his newspaper route. He was involved in athletics, community, and the great outdoors which continued throughout his life. Doc was on the boxing team at Marquette Dental School and graduated in 1954. He enlisted in the United States Air Force where he met his future wife, Shirley, while stationed in Roswell, NM. He went on to serve as a captain in the USAF and Reserves as a dentist on the Island of Guam.
Driven by his love of the outdoors, he moved to Eagle River in 1956, where he established his dentistry practice. He and Shirley were married in 1957 and they raised three children. Yellow Birch Lake was home for Tom & Shirley's family. Many days were spent fishing, waterskiing, and enjoying lake life. Doc helped build the Canadian fishing cabin, a special place to share with family and friends. He spent many days in the field and duck blind with his favorite dog, Belle. He was a private pilot, aircraft owner, and co-owner of the former Arbutus Inn in Eagle River. Doc also helped in the formation of the Eagle River State Bank, where he served on the Board of Directors.
Doc was a civic-minded person and worked with others to place Eagle River on the map. As a Lions Club member, he helped develop and promote the World Championship Snowmobile Derby. He spearheaded the original funding effort for the purchase of the Dome for the ERRA. He could be seen 'making ice' with the home-made Zamboni for hockey games and early figure skating shows. He co-founded the summer hockey school and the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame. He was honored during his lifetime by several organizations, including United States Snowmobile Association, Eagle River Lions Club, WI Hockey Hall of Fame, NHPS Hall of Fame, and was a 4th of July Parade Marshal.
Doc was the self-appointed mayor of McKinley Blvd and allegedly painted green shamrocks on the pavement on St. Patrick's Day. Extremely competitive, Doc always had a bet for longest drive, first and largest walleye, fastest ski run on the slopes, and claims to have won every cribbage game he ever played. He stood near the phone during every Packers game, in case the coaching staff needed his expertise for a last-minute play call to win the game.
The Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson was Tom & Shirley's winter place where they grew in faith and will be their final resting place.
Tom was preceded in death by the love of his life, Shirley, as well as his immediate family-his parents, Jim & Bertha (Engels) Doyle, and siblings Jim, Mary (Willard), and Larry. Survivors are children, Chris (Peter) Knitt, Rhinelander; Greg (Julie) Doyle, White Bear Lake MN; and Patrick "Ole" Doyle, Fond du Lac and Eagle River.
He is further survived by eleven grandchildren: Andy (Lindsay) Knitt, Kati (Dan) Wetzel, Amanda (Ryan) Rezny, Christopher 'Buck' (Alicia) Knitt, Desirae, Brenda & Kelly Knitt; Ryan (Hailey) Doyle and Melissa Doyle; Alexis and Meaghan Doyle, and 13 great-grandchildren: Makaela, Sam, Annalise and Levi Knitt; Lydia, Micah and Zeke Wetzel; Reagan & Adeline Rezny; Foster, Winnie and Birdie Knitt; and Hunter Doyle.
The family would like to thank his many close friends who visited and kept an eye on him, as well as the many caregivers at Milestone Senior Living, Aspirus Hospital, and Rennes Health.