© 2024 WBGO
Discover Jazz...Anywhere, Anytime, on Any Device.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

SportsJam with Doug Doyle: A Father's Day Loving Tribute To My Dad Spike Doyle (1929-2020)

Spike Doyle
Doug Doyle for WBGO

Francis "Spike" Doyle, Jr. is the reason that this host became a sports fan and played high school sports in Western Pennsylvania.

My dad passed away in his sleep next to his loving wife Josie on May 29, 2020 at the age of 90.   

His wonderful life was honored in Delmont, PA with a military sendoff than included a gun salute and bagpipes.

Spike and Josie celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in November of 2019 with family and friends.  His three proud kids, Don, Jan and yours truly were all there with our families along with Spike and Josie's cherished grandchildren and adored great grandchildren. 

When "Spike" turned 88 he was still playing nine holes of golf almost every week.  While the knees weren't like they used to be during his days as a top catcher in the area, he could still play a solid round of golf, using woods more than irons.

In 2014, I decided to sit down and find out some information that most of our family wasn't even aware of.  This edition of SportsJam is my most treasured.  

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!  WE ALL LOVE YOU and MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

How did the nickname "Spike" come about?

"We lived in a town called Wilkinsburg in Pennsylvania, and it was sort of rough section. I was going to school down there, the kids would pick on each other and they would fight, you know how kids do. The fella that lived next door to my dad, he said "boy that son of yours is a tough little bugger...he's as tough as nails..I think I'll call him Spike!"

Spike Doyle and Francis Doyle, Sr.
Credit Josephine Doyle for WBGO News
Francis "Spike" Doyle, Jr. and his dad Francis "Pap Pap" Doyle, Sr.

Spike would eventually become a Sargeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and work 35 years for Prudential Insurance Company.  He credits his days on the ball fields and courts to helping him achieve success in life:

"I was involved in sports from high school right through the sandlot leagues. I was very fortunate to be in sports, I think it made me a better person. It was also great training in the Marine Corps."

Spike and Josephine Doyle had been married for more than 70 years and still enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Pirates on television.  Both of them at the time of this broadcast were big Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison fans.

Spike's favorite baseball player was the late great Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox.

For more than 40 years, Spike and his long-time friend Paul Bieterman would take a road trip to see the Notre Dame Fighting Irish play a home football game.

Spike Doyle
Credit Doyle family for WBGO News
The annual pilgrimage to Notre Dame for Spike Doyle and sons

It was annual trek to Indiana.  Other members of the Doyle family would eventually accompany Spike on the bus trip.  Spike's oldest son Don, who was a basketball and football star at Franklin Regional School, always looked forward the pilgrimage to Notre Dame Stadium.

Spike says his father (known to all of us as Pap Pap) was a big sports fan and is responsible for the love of the Irish football team.  Francis Doyle Sr. enjoyed watching football on Thanksgiving day and was a shark on the billiards table.  But what Spike didn't know for a long time was that his father was also a terrific catcher back in the day:

"It took me many years to find out that he (Sr.) was a great ballplayer, he was one of the best catchers in the Johnstown area."

Spike Doyle
Credit John Adamic for WBGO News
Spike and Josephine Doyle at daughter Jan's home

Nothing is more important to Spike Doyle than his family and faith.   Rarely has Spike missed a sporting event involving a family member. 

His sports legacy continues through his great grandchildren these days with Mia Doyle winning a solo dancing title in Nashville, Tennessee recently and Colin Doyle being named a championship game MVP in youth baseball tournaments in Pennsylvania.

To hear the entire 2014 podcast, click above.

Stay Connected
Doug Doyle has been News Director at WBGO since 1998 and has taken his department to new heights in coverage and recognition. Doug and his staff have received more than 250 awards from organizations like PRNDI (now PMJA), AP, New York Association of Black Journalists, Garden State Association of Black Journalists and the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.