"You may be gone from our sight, but you are never gone from our hearts."
Michael J. Doyle passed away Saturday Mar. 2 at home in his sleep. Michael was born in Cuba to John and Mary Hites Doyle on Dec. 9, 1943. As a boy he loved all things social and mechanical. His paper route took a long time each day because he chatted with his customers. One customer, an inventor and writer for the Cuba Patriot, asked Michael what he wanted to be when he grew up. Mr. Gancher recounted in an editorial that young Michael answered simply, “A good man.” His wife, children, students, and his community will attest that he became exactly that: a good man.
Michael graduated from Cuba Central School in 1961. While exploring life and learning, he obtained a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State in 1971, a Master’s Degree in 1981, and a Doctorate degree from West Virginia University in 1991.
On Aug. 21, 1971 Michael married Connie Gifford and built her a house on a hill in Rushford where their five children grew and learned by the example of their dad. He was a born learner, teacher, innovator, and leader. Michael taught at Wellsville Central School, Belmont BOCES, and Belfast Central School. He was a professor at the National Technology Transfer Center at Wheeling Jesuit University. Upon returning to Cuba, Michael became the Curriculum Coordinator of Math, Science, and Technology for Allegany-Cattaraugus BOCES until his retirement in 2010.
Michael was relentlessly focused on the restoration of the Village of Cuba. He joined the Cuba Village Board and was active with the Cuba Friends of Architecture. He also taught himself to write grants for community improvement projects. His vision for Cuba included the restoration of the Palmer Opera House, the construction of Cuba’s 150’ Liberty Pole (the tallest flagpole in New York State), the Goddess Cuba Park, and the development and expansion of the Greenway Trail. These projects and many more became realities under Michael’s leadership.
The Cuba Chamber of Commerce presented Michael with the Man of the Year award in 2014 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. The Palmer Opera House dedicated the Doyle Family Auditorium in 2023.
When not in a meeting or working in the village, Michael could be found in his garage fine tuning his Jaguar or his antique Studebakers.
Michael is survived by his wife Connie and his children John Benjamin (Sandra) Doller, Meredith Doyle, Sarah (Chad) Sine, Christopher (Ashleigh) Doyle, Brady (Fawn) Doyle, five grandchildren: Lincoln Sine, Mary and Kendall Doyle, Alphie Doller, and Rorik Doyle. As well as his brothers Richard (Jean) and Thomas (Erin) Doyle and a sister-in-law, Catherine (Loren) Sweet.
In addition to his parents, Michael was predeceased by his brother John and sister-in-law Ruth Doyle.
Friends will be received at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull St., Cuba on Friday, March 8, 2024 from 2-4 at 6-8 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Our Lady of the Angels Church, 48 South St. in Cuba on Sat. March. 9, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. Father John Cullen will be the celebrant.
Memorials in Michael’s name may be made to the Cuba Friends of Architecture or to the Cuba Chamber of Commerce Flag Fund.
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