We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Donald James “Jim” Doyle, CD (Ret’d) of Calgary AB on 6 December 2020 at the age of 90 years. Jim served a 30-year as a firefighter with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Jim was born in Eleth, New Jersey, USA and moved to Sherbrooke QC as a child. The family moved around eastern Canada for most of his childhood before finally settling in Field ON.
Jim joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1947 and became a Crash Rescue Firefighter. Over his career, he served on many stations in Canada and in Europe. Jim’s first posting was as a Leading Aircraftman in the Yukon Territories at Watson Lake Junction at Milepost 635 of the Alaska Highway. In the late fifties, Jim was part of the Crash Crew that was involved with the arrival and departure of the Avro Arrow during test flights from Downsview ON. Other postings included Europe and Canadian Forces Station Alsask. Jim’s last posting was at Camp Wainwright AB from where he retired from the Canadian Forces in 1977.
Jim was a volunteer driver for the Cancer Society when he was stationed in Toronto, all the while holding down his military career and working part-time for Richardson’s Moving Company in Toronto from 1967-72.
A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date. In living memory of Jim, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on the funeral home web page.
