Thomas James Doyle

FITCHBURG-Thomas James “Tom” Doyle, age 94, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 6, 2017.  He was born on Dec. 27, 1922, in Huddersfield, England to Thomas and Ann Ellen Doyle, and emigrated to America at the age of one year with siblings Kathleen and Henry.  Growing up in Chicago, Tom attended his first two years of high school at St. Jude's Seminary in Momence, Ill., and his last two years at Parker High School in Chicago. Thomas served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and was stationed in London during the blitz.  On D-Day he was stationed at Queen Victoria Hospital in South Hampton helping to bring the wounded from the ships to the hospital.  When Tom was discharged he worked for several years at a savings and loan while attending night school at Northwestern University in Chicago, earning his real estate appraisal designations.   He started his own real estate appraisal business, in 1969 that he operated until he retired at age 70.  On June 21, 1952, Thomas and Mary Ebner were married in Chicago.  They lived in Oak Forest, Ill. before moving to Madison, Wis. in 1996. Tom enjoyed many hobbies, however he was best known for being a very talented artist. For years he created paintings with oil and watercolors.  He took oil painting lessons in Oak Lawn Ill. and additional lessons at MATC once he moved to Madison.   His works were proudly displayed and sold during showings at libraries, banks and other various businesses, as well as Midway Airport in Chicago and was named Artist of the Month at Oak Forest's Acorn Library Exhibit.   He shared many of his paintings with family and friends, and are also affectionately displayed in his home.  Poetry was another one of Tom's hobbies.  He often included a heartfelt personalized poem in a birthday or anniversary card.  He wrote a poem for the grand opening of a friend’s restaurant, as well as for fund raising events.  It's no surprise Tom was a lifelong fighting Irish Notre Dame fan, but on Sunday's you could always find him sitting in his favorite blue chair, surrounded by his family, cheering on the Green Bay Packers.  An active and healthy lifestyle was important to Tom, as he was a long time member of the St. Damian's Men's Club and the Bombers sports team in Oak Forest, Ill.  Two of his favorite activities were softball and basketball.   After moving to Wisconsin he joined a health club, and a men's recreational basketball team and continued to play into his 70's. Anyone who knew Tom, knows he was a kind and humble man.  He was a devout Catholic and led a Christian life.  He was known for his incomparable sense of humor and had a reputation as "the nicest guy".   He often provided comedic entertainment at family and social gatherings.  In more recent years, he entertained his grandchildren with jokes, impressions, and magic tricks.  Tom is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Cathy Doyle-Heffernan (Jim Heffernan), Linda Doyle, Colleen Sawyers; and son, Tom Doyle.  He is further survived by his grandchildren, Alex Glebs,  Eric, Connor and Samantha Sawyers, Aaron Curry, and Rebecca (Doyle) Vallance; great-grandchildren , Aiden Curry, Rafe and Isla Vallance; as well as sisters, Norine Kobylecky and Anna Marie Bubacz.   He was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Kathleen, Henry, Patrick, John, and Mary. Private funeral services will be held.  Online condolences may be made at gundersonfh.com Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road (608)442-5002