Ronald Joseph Doyle

Ronald Joseph Doyle, age 89, of Stoneham, passed away on April 25 at the Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston.

Born on July 12, 1935, and the son of the late Augustine and Margaret (Keating) Doyle, he grew up in Everett and graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in Boston’s North End before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served his country, voyaging to ports across the globe as the admiral’s orderly. After completing his service, Ron began working as a systems analyst at the Bank of Boston in 1957 at the dawn of the computing age. Adrian and Ann Doyle introduced Ron to Mary Moynihan and they were married on October 28, 1961. By 1970, after having two daughters of their own, Ron and Mary dedicated themselves to caring for foster infants through Catholic Charities. Over the next 25 years, they nurtured more than 100 infants. They eventually adopted one of these children, Stephen. After 33 years at the bank, Ron retired and followed his true passion, embarking on a second career, spanning two decades, as a master gardener at Pine Brook Country Club in Weston.

In his spare time, Ron was a tireless volunteer. He coached junior hockey for many years, winning Coach of the Year in 1973, and actively supported the Stoneham Boys and Girls Club, including serving on the Board of Directors. In 1974, his fellow employees selected him as the first recipient of the Fair Share Representative award. Ron’s love of gardening extended beyond his work. He was a member of the Stoneham Garden Club and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. In 2018, Ron received the Golden Trowel, a lifetime achievement award recognizing outstanding contributions to horticulture within the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association. He was an avid sports fan, following his Boston teams and a host of college teams, especially Duke basketball and Michigan football. Ron loved to give advice on gardening and pool shots and was a prolific storyteller.

He was the beloved husband of the late Mary Irene (Moynihan) Doyle. He was the loving father of Maura Doyle and her husband Christopher Snyder, Stacy Doyle, and the late Stephen Doyle (surviving wife Sheri). He was the adoring “Papa” of three granddaughters, Clare, Tess, and Meg Snyder. He is survived by his brother Paul Doyle (late wife Mary) of Wakefield and preceded in death by his sisters Jean Hussey (late husband Warren) and Mary Burton (late husband Frank “Tootsie”), and brothers Michael Doyle (surviving wife Pauline), Adrian Doyle (surviving wife Ann) and George Doyle (surviving wife Robbie). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald-Finnegan-Anderson Funeral Home, 322 Main St., Stoneham, on Friday, May 9, from 4-7pm, with another Visitation on Saturday, May 10, at 10am, followed by a Funeral Service at the funeral home, at 11am. Interment, Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482.