Philip E. Doyle

Philip E. Doyle, 91, of North Chatham, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Cape Cod Hospital on November 29, 2018. Known simply as Phil, following retirement, he resided for twenty-five years in the town he loved.

Born in Boston to Philip E. and Marie R. (McDonald) on April 26, 1927, Phil attended St. Peter's Catholic School in Dorchester, Boston College High School and later Boston College, a double Eagle. His college career was interrupted with military service in the U.S. Coast Guard, piloting landing craft in the later stages of World War II in the Pacific Theater. Following the war, he returned to finish college and marry the love of his life, his life-long bride, Alice Corine Desrochers, of Newton. The couple ventured beyond Boston to reside in New Jersey where he worked at Johnson and Johnson (J&J) headquarters, rising to the level of Senior Vice President and the first and only company Emeritus Vice President. Phil traveled the country and world for J&J managing special projects, purchasing companies and establishing a groundbreaking program with the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania to advance the management training of nurses.

He was introduced to Chatham almost 70 years ago when his aunt purchased a home near Oyster River. Phil knew Chatham was his place of refuge and he focused upon gathering the family around he and Alice. While in his beloved Chatham, Phil was active. He and his wife have been members of the Stage Harbor Yacht Club (SHYC), the Monomoy Yacht Club, the Chatham Newcomers Club and the Eastward Ho! Country Club. He acted as a docent at the Chatham Rail Road Museum, a greeter at the Community Center, a member of the Chatham Men's Club, a parishioner of Holy Redeemer Church and proud member of the Boston College Alumni Club of Cape Cod. Phil's Coast Guard career led him to become an active boater who was always on the water touring, fishing and sometimes disturbing his grandchildren by taking his craft through the middle of their SHYC races, offering loud, animated, and well-meaning but poor coaching advice with the assistance of his First Mate Alice.

Phil’s true joy was being surrounded by his family. He will be remembered for his infectious laughter, immaculate sense of fashion, and ability to recite Irish folksongs on command. He was often seen holding Alice’s hand while sitting on the porch having coffee and donuts wearing his favorite whale pants. Phil was an incredible storyteller. His ability to tell a story, often about himself, brought the kitchen table to laughter many evenings with his family. He always ended a conversation asking, “Do you want anything? Do you need anything?”, a glimpse of the lengths Phil went to to make those around him feel loved. Phil was the adored patriarch of his family.

Phil is survived by his bride of 68 years, Alice and their four children: Phil Doyle Jr. and his wife Betsy of Canton, CT and Chatham and their children Sylvia and Randy; Robert Doyle of Mesa, AZ and his three children Meagan Grote, Shannon Gill and Shawn; Linda and her husband Dr. Brian Cassidy of Scotch Plains, NJ and Chatham and their four children Kevin, Gregory, Colleen and Douglas; Nancy and her husband James Babos of Mesa, AZ and their two children Kimberley Wunder and Kristina Rood. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren Tucker, Hunter, Barrett, Elliott, and Avery.

Visitation will be held from 4 PM to 7 PM on Monday, December 3, 2018 at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road in Chatham. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at Holy Redeemer Church, 57 Highland Ave., Chatham, followed by burial in Peoples Cemetery, Chatham.

Donations in his memory may be made in Phil's name to Boston College at the Office of University Advancement, Cadigan Alumni Center, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, or at www.bc.edu/give.

For online condolences please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.