Thomas James Doyle
December 2, 1935 ~ December 29, 2009
Thomas James Doyle, 74
Temecula – Lieutenant Commander Thomas James Doyle, 74, USN (Ret.), passed away in his sleep on December 29, 2009, at his home in Temecula, Calif. He was born in Exeter, N.H., on December 2, 1935.
Tom attended the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of the 19th Company, graduating with the class of 1958. In 1960, Tom married Audrey Dubetsky at the USNA Chapel. He completed flight training in Pensacola, Fla., and Corpus Christi, Texas, and flew with Patrol Squadron 45 in Bermuda (1961-63). He attended post-graduate school in Monterey, Calif., graduating in 1965 with a degree in meteorology.
Tom served as meteorologist aboard the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard during the Vietnam War. He also flew with Patrol Squadron 30 in Jacksonville, Fla., and then Patrol Squadron 56 in Patuxent River, Md. From 1970-1974, Tom was stationed at Roosevelt Roads NAS in Puerto Rico. The balance of his 20-year career included meteorology billets in Glenview, Ill., and Dallas, Texas. During his Navy tenure, Tom and Audrey were blessed with three children, Jennifer, Tiffany and Thomas Jr.
Honors include a Presidential Unit Commendation (Feb. – June 67), Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars and the Expert Pistol Shot Medial with Silver “E.�
Upon his Navy retirement, Tom worked in real estate, engineering and computer consulting. In 1984, the family pulled up roots and moved to sunny California, where he and Audrey enjoyed the remainder of their nearly 50-year adventure together.
Tom was an avid sailor. He and Audrey loved bareboat chartering in the Caribbean and California. When he wasn’t sailing, Tom enjoyed golf, traveling and spending time with his children and three grandchildren and entertaining friends.
Tom’s easy-going personality, generous spirit and sense of humor will be deeply missed by friends and family alike.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Mary Doyle, and his younger sister Kay Chambers. Tom will be dearly missed by his wife of nearly 50 years, Audrey Doyle, daughters Jennifer Doyle and Tiffany Egan (Rick), son Tom Doyle (Jenny), sister Nancy Smith (Hal), brother Peter Doyle (Rose), his grandchildren, Cynthia Egan, Emma Doyle and Owen Doyle, eight nephews and many friends.
Services will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, January 4, at St. Martha Catholic Church, 37200 Whitewood Road, Murrieta, CA 92563.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Martha’s Food Pantry, 38444 Sky Canyon Drive, #170/190, Murrieta, CA 92563.
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