On the evening of March 1, 2024, Thomas “Tom” Doyle passed away after an 11-month battle with Glioblastoma.
Tom was born December 31, 1951, and was one of 12 children born to Patrick and Theresa in Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny, Ireland. When Tom was nearing the end of primary school, the family moved to Newport, Wales where Tom later started his apprenticeship as a machinist.
In 1973, Tom married Julie Hayes, and they soon welcomed their children, Christian and Jason.
In 1975, Tom left Wales on his own, and headed to Canada to establish a new life for his family. He stepped off the plane with nothing but a small suitcase and $100 in his pocket. He found his way to the bus station and jumped on the next bus headed north – but not too far north. He liked the look of Barrie through the bus window and decided to stop for a while. He ended up staying for over 48 years.
Tom worked hard to establish roots in Barrie, even working in a menswear shop when he first arrived. Thankfully for him (and everyone shopping for menswear at the time), Tom soon found a job as a machinist, and Julie and the boys were able to fly over and join him in 1976.
Tom was happiest when he was working with and around machines, and he eventually opened his own manufacturing business. He enjoyed making things, and often invented new parts to solve his customers’ design problems. Tom took a lot of pride in what he did and chose to continue working well past the conventional age of retirement.
During his down time, Tom loved spending time with Julie and the dogs, reading just about anything he could get his hands on, and subjecting his children and their spouses to Bruce Springsteen concerts on YouTube at a higher-than-necessary volume.
Tom will be sorely missed by friends and family, particularly by Julie, Jason (Carolyn) and Christian (Meagan) and furry friends Louie, Eddy and Ozzie.
Tom is predeceased by his parents Patrick and Theresa, siblings Kathleen and Harry, and by furry friends Barney, Missy, Charlie, Lulu and Hazel.
He is survived by his siblings Billy, Margaret, Michael, Theresa, Mary, Christopher, Jimmy, Susan, Gerard and their respective partners, children, and grandchildren.
Tom was not a man to stand on ceremony, so there will be no formal service. Instead, a celebration of life will be held at a later date to give family and friends an opportunity to raise a glass and toast him in the proper Irish way. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Barrie OSPCA or the Canadian Cancer Society.