Rev. Donald E. Doyle, 90

A funeral Mass was offered March 24 at St. Mary's Church, Glens Falls, for Rev. Donald Doyle, who died March 19. He was 90 and had been a priest of the Albany Diocese for 63 years.

A native of Fort Edward, he served as associate pastor at St. Peter's parish in Troy, Blessed Sacrament in Albany, St. Joseph's in Troy and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany; and as pastor of Most Precious Blood in South Kortright, Sacred Heart in Albany and, for 30 years, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Windham.

He retired in 2002, but continued to serve at St. Mary's in Glens Falls for many years. In fact, every time he was interviewed by The Evangelist, he would enthuse about his vocation.

"I love being a priest! I don't want to retire," he once remarked. "I thank God that I am still healthy and active. I am very happy with this way of life."

Another constant for Father Doyle was the declaration that "I cannot imagine myself doing anything else" but being a priest. He invited other men to consider religious life, saying it brings "much happiness and many blessings" and asking "men in our Diocese who have the faith and the gifts to share them."

Wherever he served, Father Doyle always gave credit to the parishioners for making his job easier. He loved celebrating Mass and noted that, after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, he enjoyed turning to face the people and making eye contact during the liturgy: "People are more involved in celebration of the Eucharist and seem to understand their faith a lot more."

A good priest, Father Doyle always said, is someone who "enjoys being with people." His long priestly career and the happy memories he left with thousands of Catholics are testament to that -- a legacy that will continue.

Survivors include his sisters, Marilyn Doyle, June O'Connor and Beverly Borix. Interment was in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fort Edward.[[In-content Ad]]