Timothy J. Doyle, Sylvan Lake

Sports advocate coached kids

Mark Hicks / The Detroit News

Tim Doyle was so dedicated to overseeing parks and recreation for Independence Township, he got directly involved.

"He taught kids swimming lessons and coached Little League," said his brother, Brian Doyle. "Anything he could to make the kids have a better experience, that's what he was about."

Mr. Doyle died on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, from complications of Lou Gehrig's disease, which he struggled with for about nine years. He was 64.

Born Feb. 26, 1945, in Madison, Wis., he grew up in Spring Green and played sports in high school. He later earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and a master's degree from Michigan State University.

Mr. Doyle worked at a parks and recreation department in Connecticut before spending more than a decade in a similar position for Independence Township, relatives said. He later joined a company providing recreation equipment statewide, his brother said.

Mr. Doyle was a longtime member of the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, of which he became president, associates said. He also was active with the Metro Detroit Amateur Softball Association, serving as commissioner and president, chairing a substance abuse committee, acting as a drug-testing coordinator and group representative at national championships, and establishing a college scholarship and grant program to improve softball fields, said Stuart Alderman, the group's associate commissioner.

"Tim devoted his life to providing recreational opportunities to millions of individuals that may have never met him, but his efforts provide ... activities to improve their quality of life," said Ron Radigonda, executive director of the Amateur Softball Association of America/USA Softball.

For years, Mr. Doyle served as a strength/conditioning coach at St. Mary's Preparatory in Orchard Lake -- assisting the school's football team and giving tips during open gym hours, said his son, Shane. "He was proud of the kids' accomplishments. He made an impact on the younger guys, teaching them discipline."

Mr. Doyle also loved to exercise and once ran in the Chicago Marathon, his son said.

Another love was nature. "We once went cross-country from here to L.A., staying in national parks along the way," said his daughter, Tara Doyle-Douglass. "He felt at home when he was outdoors."

Other survivors include his wife, Laura; three children, Ryan, John and Angelina; his mother, Idalia; three grandchildren; and a brother, Jan.