DOYLE, Joseph Gerald Donald (Major, Retired - R.C.A.F.)
Died suddenly on Sunday, July 6, 2008. Beloved husband of Dorothy. Cherished father of Heather Volk(Klaus), William Doyle(Shelley), Diane Magee(Stephen), Donald Doyle Jr.(Sandra), James Doyle(Wendy), Deborah Dowds, Patrick Doyle(Sara), Tim Tickner(Sue) and Roger Tickner(Ana). Adored Grandpa to his 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Born of Irish/French extraction in Ottawa, he joined the military during W.W. II. He attended Queen’s University before returning to his career in the R.C.A.F. where he rose to the rank of Major. As a navigator he flew the Lancaster, the CF100 and the CF 130 Hercules to name a few. He served as protocol officer at NORAD in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he chaperoned visiting dignitaries including President Nixon and Queen Elizabeth II. After he retired from the military he worked for Transport Canada and the United Nations in Uganda. Don maintained his ties with the R.C.A.F. by assisting with several reunions of the 408 Squadron.

After traveling the world, Don and his first wife Lorraine, settled in Port Dover where they were active members of the community for many years. He moved to Wilmot Creek after his wife’s death in 1999, where he found a new community and a new love – Dorothy Tickner. Together they shared a love of travel, laughter and singing. Don’s legacy will be his steadfast commitment to family and the many friends he made the world over. Family was central to all that Don did, and it will be that sense of family that will support us in this time of loss.

Friends will be received at the NEWCASTLE FUNERAL HOME, 386 Mill St. South (Mill St. exit, just north of 401 at the lights) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at ST. GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 250 Mill St. South, Newcastle, on Thursday, July 10, at 11a.m. Memorial donations to Sleeping Children Around the World would be greatly appreciated. (Expressions of sympathy may be made on-line through www.newcastlefuneralhome.com.)
"Per ardua ad astra"
ST. GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH,"