Donald William Doyle

Donald William Doyle, 82, of Camillus, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012. The son of Mabel Jarrard Doyle and William J. Doyle, he was born Thursday, February 13, 1930, on a farm near Ballston Spa. Following graduation from Mechanicville High School in 1945, Donald began working in an apprentice engineering program for General Electric in Schenectady in connection with Union College. A Navy veteran, he served during the Korean War from 1950-1954 at CINCNELM HQ in Naples, Italy and London, England. While living in Great Britain, Donald learned to fly and then taught flying to many others. Upon returning to the U.S., he married Carolyn Osgood of Stillwater, New York, and began a career with United Airlines as a commercial pilot, flying out of Chicago for a few years and later out of San Francisco for 25 years. Following Carolyn’s death in 1971, he married Erika Young, who preceded him in death in 2003. After retiring as a captain from United Airlines, he worked as an engineer for United Pumps in San Jose, California, and for Tri-Continent Scientific in Grass Valley, California. Donald was a member of the Retired United Pilot's Assn. and Park Central Presbyterian Church and volunteered for many years at Martin Luther King School. His many interests included flying, working with his hands, making things in his workshop, painting in watercolor, traveling with Elderhostel, feeding birds, art, art history DVDs and his computer. Surviving are his daughters, Kim Hart of Rough and Ready, California and Rehmi Ruiz of San Jose, California; son, Donald C. Doyle of San Jose, California; grandchildren, Ross and Daniel Hart, Fiona and Regan Doyle and Raymond Ruiz; sister, Virginia Cooley of Saratoga Springs; and his best friend and companion, Katrine (Kay) Keller of Camillus. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donald donated his body to the Anatomical Gift Program at SUNY Health Science Center. He will be laid to rest at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. Arrangements are by the Buranich Funeral Home, Camillus. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., P.O. Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057.