
John Doyle - 78
June 22, 2022
Poquonock, CT
John Adrian Doyle, Jr. passed away peacefully on Sunday June 19, 2022, at his home in Barkhamsted, CT after a brief illness, surrounded by family. John was born September 30, 1943, to John Adrian Doyle, Sr. and Madelyn Hebor Doyle in Englewood, NJ. The family moved to Meriden, CT in 1956. John graduated from Fairfield Prep in 1961 and then from Central Connecticut State University. He married Billie Johnson in 1961 and they had four children. They lived in Meriden, CT, Barkhamsted, CT, Sterling, VA and Southington, CT. From 1972-1976 he worked for the Hon. Thomas Meskill, Governor of CT. He was CT's first Hospital Commissioner. He then became President of Easter Seals serving for four years. He moved on to become the Director of the U. S. Senate Appropriation Committee under Lowell Weicker. Following this, John was the Executive Director of the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities in Reston, VA. He was a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities and was instrumental in enacting many pieces of legislation and funding for the disabled. He then founded the Government Relations firm of Doyle, D'Amore and Balducci in Hartford, CT with his friends and partners, Thomas D'Amore and Richard Balducci. He served as President of the firm until his death. He was an incorporator and board member of Winsted Hospital. He was also a board member of Perry Senior Housing in Winsted. He was a member of the finance committee and trustee of St. Therese Parish in Granby for many years. He was also a trustee on the board of the CT State University System. Most recently he was on the finance board of the city of Barkhamsted. Predeceased by his parents and first wife. John is survived by his wife Christine Burbank Doyle and children:John Adrian Doyle, III and his wife Cheryl of Torrington, Michael R. Doyle of Faber, VA, Patrick W. Doyle his wife Kimberly of Higganum, CT, and Shannon J. Sheahan of Haymarket, VA. He is also survived by two stepchildren, Rachel Ash and her husband David of Wolcott and Jason Sirignano and his wife Shari of Greenwich. John has 12 grandchildren, Serena R. Doyle, Sean M. Doyle, John A. Doyle, IV, Kaitlin J. Doyle, Christopher J. Doyle, Mallory J. T. Doyle, Jack D. Sheahan, Brigid J. Sheahan, Patrick K. Sheahan and Declan L. Sheahan, step-grandchildren, Benjamin Sirignano and Alec Ash. John also has 4 great grandchildren, Miles O. Doyle, Oliver Doyle, Freya Doyle, and Oliver A. Doyle. He is also survived by his sister, Mimi Panzirer. John was an avid gardener and loved being outdoors. For years, Washington Hill, his Barkhamsted home, was featured on The National Garden Conservancy's Open Days Tour. He loved the sea as well. Summers often found him driving his boat to Block Island, Cuttyhunk Island, and Menemsha Harbor at Martha's Vineyard. John was a man of faith who loved his family and his country. John's family will receive friends on Friday June 24, 2022, from 4-7PM at Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, CT 06035. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday June 25, 2022, at 11:00AM at St. Therese Church, 120 W. Granby Road, Granby, CT 06035. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in John's memory may be made to Fairfield College Preparatory School, 1073 N Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824. For condolences, please visit www. carmonfuneralhome. com.