Kenneth Francis Doyle

Born August 14, 1933, Kenneth Francis Doyle was born in Pequabuck Connecticut where he was the beloved son to Francis Doyle and Mary Krasiski, and loving brother to his sisters Eleanor Cugno, Leona Gaulin, Joan Doolittle, and brother Lawrence Doyle; and many nieces, nephews and their families.

He met and married the love of his life Bonnie Babcock Doyle. Together forty years this year they, along with their many friends shared fond memories of New Year’s Eve parties, rousing pinochle games, 4th of July fireworks on Duck Island, overseas (business) trips, Caribbean and Alaskan cruises, dinner dates, lots of trips aboard the Shakka Bruddah up and down the Connecticut River and New England Coastline and most recently visiting all 48 contiguous states of the United States in their motorhome before parking it permanently at Timber Creek campground to enjoy a less “mobile” vacation home.

As a young man he enlisted in the Navy with his best buddy Donald DeFillippi. He was assigned duty on the naval ship USS Diphda where he served as a Quartermaster and paint chipper in the Korean War. Despite having only served four years, he was always honored to have been able to call himself a sailor and carried his pride for Navy and country in the many military hats, shirts, and jackets he wore proudly until the very end.

Kenny was blessed with four children Andrea Maul, his first daughter, who shares his laugh and humor, Robert Doyle who gave him two cherished grandchildren Danielle and Kenneth, Michael Doyle with whom Kenny enjoyed many summer days working on his lobster boat and vacations on the Shakka Bruddah, and his youngest daughter Kristen Bouchard who gave Kenny two more precious grandchildren Jacobi and Sophia. Over the course of 61 years of fatherhood, his love and loyalty to all four of his children and grandchildren never wavered. Each time we visited him, there were always hugs, kisses and I Love You’s exchanged between him and all his children.

We are convinced that Kenny was in the midst of a mid-life crisis when he decided to become a lobster fisherman. He made great memories working the deck of his wood lobster boat the Mary Kristen and four subsequent pleasure boats. Countless friends were made aboard his boats especially at the Singing Bridge marina and the Clinton Town Marina

He had a large circle of friends, not only along the shoreline, but in Bristol too where he first worked at The Cameo (later Nuchie’s Restaurant in Forestville) and in his older years at Shanks and the Driftwood Lounge in Clinton CT where he tended bar to many, many loyal customers that remained friends long after his bartending days ended.

Kenny enjoyed a long, eventful, love-filled life without regret. We invite you to remember Kenny as we do by wearing your craziest, loudest, most vibrant Hawaiian Shirt to his observance. Family and friends need not mourn his loss but celebrate his life as he lived his, filled with good friends, good food, and good cheer. Please join us as we do just that on Monday, July 30 at Swan Funeral Home in Clinton from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm; with the Memorial Service at 6:30 pm.

Kenny’s generous spirit will live on through his final wish that friends and family forego sending flowers to honor his memory, and rather send a donation to the causes that touched him. It broke his heart to think that any child in the United States should go hungry. The Plainville Food Pantry, Plainville CT helps to feed local families right here in our state. Kenny has requested that your donation be made in his name to feed a hungry child. Those who know him will also remember his love of all animals, but especially dogs. He was not often seen without one by his side. Friends may wish to make a donation in his name to help furry friends in need.