Richard J. Doyle, 85, Long Beach Volunteer Fire chief

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Richard J Doyle
Richard J Doyle

Richard J Doyle, 85, a retired electrician for the IBEW Local 25, and a life-long Long Beach resident who was First Assistant Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department and a co-founder of the city's Ice Hockey Association, died June 3 at the University Medical Center in Neptune, N.J. He had retired to Hobart, N.Y, but in 2017, moved to Ocean Township, NJ to be closer to his daughter and her family.

He was a volunteer firefighter for 58 years, and later, joined the Hobart and Stamford, N.Y., Volunteer Fire Departments.

He coached roller hockey for several years, and then co-founded the Long Beach Ice Hockey Association, coaching his first intermediate team, in addition to coaching the Long Beach High School Ice Hockey team. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and boating. Richard was a loyal fan of the NY Rangers and NY Giants.

Doyle served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953-1956, adopting the Corps slogan "Once a Marine, always a Marine."

After working as an electrician, Doyle was a code enforcement officer and a fire inspector in Hobart. He loved his dogs Bear and Buddy, and most recently loved weekly visits from a therapy dog, Bitsey, of Caregiver Canines. Doyle was proud of his Irish heritage but most proud of his family. He treasured his family above all and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.

He is the son of the late William Doyle Sr. and Lucy Doyle.

Richard was predeceased by his brother William Doyle, Jr., and his sister Dolores Sardo. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Barbara, and his four adoring children, daughter Rosanne Ryan and husband Jack of Avon by the Sea, NJ, daughter Noreen Klaess and husband Francis of Rockville Centre, NY, son William and wife Alison of Forest Hills, NY and son John and husband Sean Brown of Portland, Ore

He is also survived by his cherished granddaughters Kelly and Colleen Ryan, Chloe and Daisy Klaess, Ella Doyle and Dakota Hufford Brown, and great-granddaughter Rowan.