Augustine "Gus" J. Doyle

Augustine Joseph Doyle, 78, passed away on June 28,2023 at home, after a brief struggle with a rare cancer. Gus was born in Philadelphia, PA to the late Thomas and Catharine (nee Peale) Doyle, and was a proud direct descendant of noted American artists, Charles Willson Peale and his brother James Peale.
 
Gus grew up in the Germantown area of Philadelphia surrounded by a large loving family: his late sister Peggy, older brothers Tom (Linda), and the late Paul, and younger sister Adele (the late George Carpenter), numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Gus and the extended Peale clan could be found on the beach in Cape May, NJ every summer.
 
Gus attended St. Francis of Assisi Grade School and Northeast Catholic High School for Boys, class of 1963. In those early years Gus met the love of his life, Kathryn Paskowsky, and pursued her relentlessly. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy on October 1, 1965, which was the first time the Navy had enacted a draft since WWII. After basic training in Great Lakes, IL he was stationed at Lemoore Naval Air Station in CA. There he was offered the opportunity to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a firefighter. His second dream of marrying his high school sweetheart became a reality on September 24, 1966. After being honorably discharged, Gus and Kathy returned to Philadelphia where Gus started his 23-year career at Willow Grove Naval Air Station, and raised his family in Warminster: Carole (Andy Dinnhaupt) and Paul (Kate). He was dedicated to his work on the military base, rising in rank to become the Assistant Fire Chief as well as serving on the bomb squad, hazardous material disposal, and arson detection at NAS. Gus felt privileged to assist the Secret Service detail for President Reagan on his visits to the Philadelphia area.

Like most career firefighters, Gus was able to pursue side jobs: Working at his brother Tom’s gas stations, for U-Haul, and for Acme markets. After retiring from NASWG, Gus turned his avocation for movies into a vocation, working at Blockbuster Video, where he would enthusiastically recommend any war or western themed movie. 
 
After Gus and Kathy moved to Little River, SC, Gus held many part-time jobs that utilized his managerial skills, attention to detail, and extraordinary gift for making people feel welcome. If you ever traveled through security at Myrtle Beach airport in the 1990’s, or played the slots in Little River casinos, you probably met Gus. Despite living full-time on a golf course for over 20 years, Gus never improved his golf game. His 31 handicap made him a much sought-after golf tournament partner. 
 
Shortly after moving back to Bucks County, Gus and Kathy organized a long-overdue Peale family reunion at the American Philosophical Society Library, where they donated a long-held family heirloom, a 1817 Peale family letter of historical significance to be included in the extensive Peale collection. 
 
Gus held many titles throughout his life, but his favorite was Grandpop to his 6 grandchildren: MK, Drew, Max, Louise, Emily, and Anna. He was a witty storyteller, sympathetic listener, and loved to make people laugh. Gus saved his best work for his second act. 
 
In addition to his devoted wife of 56 years, children, grandchildren and siblings, Gus leaves behind his sister-in-law Diane Willmann, brother-in-law Michael Paskowsky (Jane Talarico), dear friend Jackie Jackson, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. 

All are invited on Wednesday, July 5 to St. Isidore Catholic Church, 2545 W. Pumping Station Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951 for a visitation from 10:00-11:00am and a memorial mass at 11:00am. Interment will happen privately at a later date. 
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice.