Edward J. Doyle Jr.

DOYLE, EDWARD J. JR., 78, of Little Egg Harbor, N.J., passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin, N.J.  He was born in Newark, N.J., and spent most of his life in Kearny N.J.  He retired to Phoenix, A.Z. prior to settling in Little Egg Harbor, N.J. Ed is survived by his wife Marilyn Doyle, sons Steven Doyle and wife Kathy, of Longs, S.C., and David Doyle and wife Danielle, of Whippany, N.J., along with five grandchildren.

Ed grew up and spent most of his young adult life in Harrison. Upon graduating from Harrison High School he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Jersey City State College with a focus on Special Education.  Ed was hired by the Harrison Board of Education and worked nearly 31 years beginning in Lincoln School then Washington Middle School and finally Harrison High School, most of that time as a teacher of English.  He spearheaded and was the editor of the school newspaper, volunteered as an assistant coach for the Harrison Cross Country Team and was an avid runner himself competing in four marathons. He was the chairman of the Guitar Club, the Japanese Club and also earned his Masters Degree at Seton Hall University…in his free time.

Those who knew Ed are aware that he didn’t merely try something new, he immersed himself completely in a subject area attempting to obtain an unconscious competence at whatever he found of interest.  Having been an only child, this passion to do his best bled into his friendships of which there were many and he cherished them all.   

He began playing guitar at the age of 13 after hearing a Johnny Smith LP.  Having first attempting his luck on a ukulele, a clerk in a guitar store in Newark, NJ convinced him to buy a guitar.  Over the course of the next 65 years, he would play in wedding bands, orchestra settings and various ensembles eventually becoming a virtuoso Jazz Guitarist; always honing his craft to emulate his guitar hero, the late Joe Pass.  That musical passion introduced him to his wife Patty (a musician’s singer) and led to over 50 years of making beautiful music together.

At 18 years old, Ed began training in Isshinryu in Jersey City under the late, Sensei Don Nagle until 1966 when he discovered Goju Karate under the leadership of the late Sensei-Master Peter Urban of Chinatown Dojo.  Becoming a way of life and leading into an incredible fraternity of friendship and extended family, he would become a Sensei of Goju himself at Bodhisattva Dojo in Kearny, NJ and Chikara Dojo in Kearny and East Newark, NJ, and lastly the Arizona Dojo, in Phoenix.

Despite earning the respect of some of the ‘finest musicians he had ever heard and performed with’ - {his words}; and becoming a friend, confidant, father-figure and brother to so many students in the classroom and at the dojo he would remain humble about his accomplishments in every area of life always redirecting praise to others he believed truly deserved the accolades.

He so looked forward to his Saturday mornings speaking over Zoom with the Men’s Ministry of the Sheperd of the Dessert Church in Scottsdale, AZ, recently being invited to lead a discussion.  In true form, he was shocked and honored to be asked; never recognizing his own subject knowledge, insight or intellectual prowess.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, from his early days as a teacher in Harrison,  engaging in shenanigans with his coworkers in school, he was well-known throughout his life for his joke-telling and his ability to act out each part, complete with accents and expletives (when appropriate) causing anyone around him to laugh until they were in pain.

While Ed had many pursuits, his greatest love was being a grandfather to Max, Jack, Molly, Raegan and Rhyan and because we have the last word - no one did that better.  As a Christian he thanked our Lord and savior daily for being blessed so richly with family, lasting friendships and good health.

Private cremation services were handled by the Wood Funeral Home.  A casual memorial celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 12th from 12 to 4 at the Knights of Columbus located at 194 River Road, North Arlington, NJ.  There will be a brief prayer service at 1:30 followed by a few words from family.  We graciously request that NO flowers be sent, as the Knights of Columbus cannot accept them or any other deliveries on the families behalf.  Please feel free to make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Ed’s name.

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