Obituary: Greg Doyle, age 77

Gregory F. Doyle III, or ?Greg? to those who knew him, lived a rich, full life in the too-short 77 years he inhabited this earth. He was born in St. Vincent?s Hospital in Bridgeport, Ct. in early September of 1947 to Dorothy (Kitlas) Doyle and Gregory F. Doyle. Growing up, Greg filled his life with basketball, friends, and parties. He would recount many adventures from those days, particularly when he was ?on the road? as a 14-year-old, required to take four buses a day to attend Fairfield Prep.
After graduating he looked to continue his travels and go West, but he only got as far as John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Although involved in the R.O.T.C. early on, his commitment quickly evaporated. Always interested in people, words, and ideas, Greg was inspired to enter the Master?s program in Psychology at Kent State University in 1969. His work with returning Vietnam veterans, their stories of trauma, the Kent State shootings, and his growing convictions of ?speaking truth to power? led him to apply for and receive Conscientious Objector status. In many ways, this experience proved to be a turning point in his life, and he dedicated the next 40 years to helping others live the best life they could.
Truly a pioneer for recognizing the needs of at-risk youth in the early 1970s, Greg established the Stratford Counseling Center to offer support and resources for local teenagers. Always striving higher, Greg earned his PhD from Boston University, working as a clinical psychologist at Kennedy Memorial/Franciscan Children?s Hospital. The newly-minted Dr. Doyle then went on to establish a private practice in family therapy while also becoming an instrumental part of Boston?s Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a non-profit organization supporting homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth.
All this work stopped prematurely due to his profound hearing loss. This, coupled with meeting the woman of his dreams, Susan, led them to move to 25 acres of conservation land in Leyden, Ma. where they found their wellspring?surrounded by nature, with abundant gardens and meticulous grounds that showcased Greg?s creative flair for horticulture. Here, he found new joy and meaning that didn?t require a patient ear and meticulous insight. His love of golf grew, and though he enjoyed competitive play with friends at The Country Club of Greenfield, he valued the meditative nature of his solo rounds. His gourmet tastes, wine knowledge equal to a sommelier?s, and peerless kitchen skills were matched only by his love for travel, from the Galapagos to the Tuscan hillsides.
Generous with his time and companionship, passionate about the state of the world, Greg was many things: Iconoclast. Uninhibited truth-teller. Often irreverent. Uninhibited dancer. Music lover. Golfer. Voracious reader. Intellectual. Sometimes mercurial, demanding yet playful, Greg had high personal standards. He prized authenticity in all his relationships, challenging and inspiring others to grow and expand. Quick with a laugh and a dramatic roll of his eyes he would respond philosophically, saying ?Own your truth? or ?It is what it is.?
If he sounds full-on, he was, but that was why he was loved by so many. You never got someone who was half-there. In addition to his beloved wife, Susan Coan, Greg leaves two brothers, Conan (Dublin, Ireland) and Kerry (Somerville, Ma.) a sister, Dody (Summerville, South Carolina), brothers-in-law, Bill Britt (Easton, CT) and Bob Wiltsie (Stratford, CT) and seven devoted nieces and nephews, Kiley, Adam, Moriah, Devin, Adrienne, Jack and Lorena. Greg was pre-deceased by his sister Colleen Doyle Britt and both parents.
A Gathering of family and friends will take place on Saturday, May 10th from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in THE GREGORY F. DOYLE FUNERAL HOME, 291 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford. Interment will be private. To leave an online condolence, please visit, www.gregoryfdoylefuneralhome.com.