Michael R. Doyle

May 12, 1951 ~ May 28, 2021 (age 70)

Albany - Michael R. Doyle, age 70, of Albany, NY, passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021, after a recent illness.

Michael, the son of the late Dorothy Rich Doyle and Thomas Francis Doyle, was born in Schenectady, New York, and a lifelong resident of the Capital District. Mike is also predeceased by the one and only love of his life, his wife, Linda Lombardi Doyle, and their infant son, Patrick Doyle.

Mike served as Executive Director of the New York State Petroleum Council for over 17 years, where he earned the nickname “Big Oil Doyle”. He retired in 2012, but continued to work as a Consultant with the firm of Plummer & Wigger, LLC of Albany. Mike’s earlier career included Director of Government Relations for the New York State Telephone Company from 1987-1994, and prior to that he was employed by the The Business Council of New York as Director of Government Affairs.

Mike was a 1969 graduate of the former Linton High School, and a 1973 graduate of Union College, both located in Schenectady. He completed his education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 1975.

Mike was star basketball player during his time at both Linton High School and Union College. He was a key player on Linton’s 1968-1969 Class “A” League Championship team that also won the Sectional title. While playing for Union, Mike was MVP of the 1973 ECAC Tournament which Union won. Mike was inducted into both the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame, (formerly the Capital Region Hall of Fame), and was a member of the inaugural Team of Distinction for the Union College Athletics Hall of Fame, 1971-1972. His love of basketball continued throughout his life, as a local high school basketball referee, and later as a WNYT Channel 13 High School All-Star Basketball Scout.

Mike also enjoyed golfing with friends, his season seats to the Saratoga Race Course, and escaping the northeast winters at his place in Ft. Lauderdale. He also enjoyed traveling, including a safari in South Africa, visiting Australia, and Europe.

Mike is survived by his loving sister, Kathleen (Thomas) Wetherell of Pittsford, NY, and his nephews, Brian (Erica) King and their children Madigan and Aidan, of State College, PA, and Jeffrey (Katherine) King and their children Annika and Siri of Boulder, CO.

He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Berenice Lombardi, of Schenectady, her four children, and her eight grandchildren, to whom Mike was and will always be family, and several godchildren, including Aimee (Bacher) Privitera.

Mike’s favorite times were spent with family and very close friends, and he will be deeply missed by an endless list of people who love him dearly.

Honoring Mike’s specific request, services are private.

Contributions in his memory may be made to: Fast Break Fund, One Mustang Drive, Cohoes, NY 12047.

He is resting peacefully with his beloved Linda and son Patrick at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Schenectady.