Monsignor E.L. Doyle

(1890-1959)

Edwin Lawrence Doyle was born on April 7,1890 in Prince Edward Island, in the town of Earnscliffe. His grandparents had come from Ireland. Edwin was the fourth of six boys born to Thomas and Bridget Doyle. His mother died when he was just six years old. His father remarried and had two more children. When Edwin was thirteen his father died and his stepmother was left to raise the family.

He began his studies in Philosophy at St. Dunstan’s college in Charlottetown. He had been forced to withdraw from theological studies due to poor health. A change of climate and a chance to continue in his studies towards priesthood brought him to Calgary in 1917.

He taught at St. Mary’s High School from 1919 to 1938. He was appointed acting principal in 1938. In 1922, he was ordained by Bishop McNally at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Calgary, Alberta. In 1934, he spent a year studying Canon Law in the Gregorian University in Rome and obtained his Licentiate. He was appointed parish priest of St. Anne’s Church in 1938. He remained the pastor until his death in 1959.

In 1957, he was elevated to the dignity of Monsignor by Pope Pius the XII. On his first vacation to visit his family in Prince Edward Island, Monsignor Doyle died suddenly on the train. On the request of his family, he was buried at his home parish of Vernon River on August 10,1959.He taught in P.E.I. for seven years before he began his studies in Philosophy at St. Dunstan’s University, Charlottetown. Ill health and the determination of Bishop McNally brought him to Calgary in 1917.

Father Doyle was the favorite teacher of the boys of St. Mary’s Boy’s School. He taught with a “soft and gentle manner.” He taught there from 1919 to 1938. He was appointed Acting Principal in 1938. We have records that he had taught Math and Sciences but his specialty was in teaching the Humanities. We know that he also taught a Professional Ethics class to the student nurses at the Holy Cross Hospital. Father Doyle served the Calgary Catholic School Local of the A.T.A. as its first elected President.