Clarence Doyle

We regret to announce the passing of Clarence Bronson Doyle. Bronson died from emphysema on September 24, 2022, three days after his 76th birthday. Bronson was a lifelong resident of New Orleans and the fourth of Donald and Betsy Doyle's nine children. He attended Holy Name of Jesus School followed by Jesuit High School, the University of Notre Dame and received his degree in law from the Tulane University School of Law. Bronson practiced law with his father and brother Don for many years, served as general counsel of several companies, worked on numerous varied business endeavors and advised brilliantly on matters including business relationships and property rights. His legal opinions on a wide range of topics were carefully thought-out and colorfully written. But you wouldn't ask him to render an opinion quickly; there was no matter too small to not require a full consideration from all sides before finally drawing his conclusions. Fair to say, Brons never let a clock get in the way of his schedule. Bronson had a considerable, but subtle, skill as a negotiator and many times we saw him charmingly lure a legal or business adversary (or potential golf opponent) into an undesirable position, then allow them to plant their flag there, much to their detriment. We knew it was coming and it was so fun to watch. After a successful and interesting career, Bronson retired in 2019. Bronson loved to consider the challenges of governance and he vigorously advocated in favor of people of character and a more generous form of government. He was passionate about this to his dying day. Bronson didn't advocate stubbornly; he advocated openly, always in search of a better approach and willing to listen. Bronson devoured books at an astonishing clip. He loved sports from a young age and was a wonderful swimmer, and handball and racquetball player well into his 50's. Notably, Brons was a wonderful whistler, surprisingly skilled with a yo-yo and, in his youth, could balance a rug pole on his chin. He was a better fisherman than his buddies admitted, but not as good as his telling. Nonetheless, he was successful enough to have a few fishing holes named after him. Bronson took up golf later in life and it wouldn't be accurate to say that he mastered the game, but he loved to play, could hit it a country mile and was the most fun to play with. His favorite rounds were played with his dearest friend Billy Finley, his daughter Gretchen, and whoever else was lucky enough to join their cast. We called it "Gretchen golf" and it was just so much fun. Accurate scoring was claimed inaccurately. Perhaps Bronson's greatest skill was as a conversationalist. He was the nicest person in any room with a cheerful, confident, and friendly manner. He had big blue eyes, and he would lock them on you when he spoke. He was a joy to visit with. We always said that Brons told funny stories and told stories funny. He really did; he was magical. Bronson enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was so proud of his dear daughter Abigail and his son Christian. They inherited his superb intelligence, charming curiosity, cheerful outlook, and easy laugh. Particularly in his last few years, Abby was everything to him. Bronson adored his younger daughter, Gretchen, whose challenges never stopped him from encouraging her to reach for the moon. They had a beautiful relationship. During Bronson's last days in the hospital, when his health was failing, one afternoon he looked out the window and said that when he focused on the blue sky, it reminded him of Louis Armstrong's beautiful song, "What a Wonderful World." Those of us close to Brons aren't surprised by this charmed perspective. His sense of wonder, bravery, and humor, even in this most difficult of times, was classic Brons. Bronson will be missed by his family and the many friends he made along the way. He loved so many, and they loved him right back. He had a great life, and the world is a much nicer place for him having been here. Bronson is preceded in death by his parents, Donald Woodward Doyle and Elizabeth Bronson Doyle; his beloved son, Christian Bronson Doyle; his brother, Richard H. Doyle; and his first wife, Cathy Ruello Doyle. He is survived by two daughters, Abigail Kathleen Doyle and Gretchen Beaucage Sanders Doyle; two grandchildren, August King Haugh-Doyle and Matilda Katherine Haugh-Doyle; son-in-law Dan Haugh; two stepdaughters, Rebecca Lynn Morgan Bolin and Wendy Elizabeth Morgan Kreihs; his former wife, Janet Lynn Sanders; seven siblings, Elizabeth D. Sames, Donald W. Doyle, Jr., Cynthia D. Carriere, David M. Doyle, Louise D. Richardson, Mary D. Caldwell, and J. Warren Doyle; their beloved spouses and more nephews and nieces than this writer can count. There will be a graveside service for family and friends at Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery on October 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home. To view and sign the virtual register book, please visit www.schoenfh.com.