“An absolute friend to many”: Tributes to priest who devoted 60 years to communities in Preston and Longridge
He worked tirelessly for his church and the wider community.
Tributes have been paid to a popular priest who dedicated more than 60 years to Catholic ministry in Lancashire.
Canon Harry Doyle, a long-serving parish priest of Our Lady and St Michael’s Catholic Church in Longridge, died on Monday evening.
He has been remembered for his faithful service, his humour and as “an absolute friend to many, many people.”
Canon Doyle, a native of Bellaghy, Co Derry, Northern Ireland, was ordained for the Diocese of Lancaster on June, 8, 1963, and on July 13, 1963, was sent by the Bishop as a curate to St Mary and St Michael’s in Garstang.
On August 13 of that year, he moved to St Thomas of Canterbury and the English Martyrs in Preston and took over the running of the youth club. Other projects he was involved in included the planning and building of Canterbury Hall.
In 1982 Bishop Pearson decided that Father Doyle should take over as Parish Priest at Our Lady and St Michael’s, taking over from Father Edwards, who had asked to retire on health grounds.
During his time at at Alston Lane, Father Doyle twice organised the redecoration of the church, the extension of the Sanctuary, re-roofing of the church, organising and maintainence of the cemetery, and the extension and resurfacing of the car park.
He even took on Lancashire County Council and forced them to resurface Back Lane.
In 2011, Father Doyle was made a Canon, in recognition of his community work. He said that his greatest pleasure was the ordination to the Priesthood of John Moriarty in Jult 2010, who had been an Altar Server at Our Lady and St Michael’s since 1991.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Father Doyle continued to pursue a childhood activity of farming, becoming a director of the Longridge Show and a member of the North West Suffold Breeders Club.
He was also chairman of Churches Together in Longridge and a govenor at St Cecilia's RC High School and Alston Lane Catholic Primary School and Nursery
Tributes
St Lawrence with St Paul: “Our thoughts, prayers and loving condolences are very much with the parish of Our Lady & St. Michael’s in Alston Lane after the news of Canon Fr. Harry Doyle's death on Monday night. His faithful service to the church and community was considerable over many years and he will be very much missed.
“Canon Doyle was always supportive of Churches Together and served as Chairman of that group many times over the years - praying together always of the greatest importance with Friday morning prayers he helped to set up over 30 years ago continuing today.”
Grimsargh St Michael’s Church: “Canon Doyle was a popular priest at Alston Lane Roman Catholic Church and also a great believer in driving friendship between the two village churches in Grimsargh. In his early days in the parish he met with much opposition when suggesting ecumenical services between the two churches,however his dogged persistence and determination along with a softening of attitudes led to regular services taking place in which the two congregations visited and worshiped in each others churches.
“At village events like the field day, Rememberance service and Christmas light switch on he was always in attendance and led the services jointly with our vicar. He hosted a dinner for his friends a few years ago when he celebrated 60 years as an ordained priest. Our church was represented at the dinner with our church warden seated on his top table. We also made a small presentation to him at a service in our church to recognise his long service. He worked tirelessly for his church and the wider community and until recently could often be seen mowing the grass on the road side outside Alston Lane church. He had a great sense of humour, he was a country man at heart and was an absolute friend to many, many people.
“Our heartfelt condolences and love go to his family, friends, congregation, parishioners and all those who knew and loved him. Rest in peace, Father Doyle, and thank you for all your work in bringing our two churches closer together.”
Longridge Show: “Canon Doyle was a much-loved and highly respected supporter of the Longridge Show for many years, and his contribution to the show and the people involved in it will always be remembered with great fondness and gratitude.
“As a Director of the Show, he was always generous with his time, offering advice, encouragement and those much-valued words of wisdom. He kindly hosted our monthly committee meetings in the church rooms, and in years gone by also had the honour of serving as our President. He was a treasured member of the team, and his warmth, kindness and continued support meant a great deal to us all.
“Coming from a farming family, Canon Doyle had a genuine love and appreciation for the agricultural traditions at the heart of the Show and, above all, for the people who make it what it is. He took a particular interest in the sheep section, with a special fondness for his favourite breed, the Suffolk.
“Canon Doyle was so much more than a supporter of the Show; he was part of its family. His presence, friendship and wise counsel will be greatly missed, but his association with the Longridge Show and the many happy memories he leaves behind will remain with us.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends and all those who knew and loved him at this very sad time.”