Richard Michael Doyle

Easport and Sipayik - Richard Michael Doyle died peacefully on April 19, 2018. Rick was born in East Harford, Connecticut on January 23, 1959, the son of David T and Edith (Mitchell) Doyle of Pleasant Point. Rick grew up at 136 Michael Ave. in East Hartford and spent summers at Sipayik with friends and relatives.

Rick proudly represented the Passamaquoddy Tribe as Sakom (Chief) at Pleasant Point Reservation, Deacon, Health and Wellness Planner, and several other roles in over 30 years of service. He used his education and gifts to improve the physical, mental and spiritual welfare of the Passamaquoddy People. Rick had struggles in his life but always prayed and was determined to strive to know and practice God’s will in his life.

Rick attended East Hartford High School where he excelled in academics and was a member of the State Champion Football Team. He then attended college at St. Francis College (Biddeford) and the University of Maine (Machias). He earned degrees in Community Health Education (Bachelor of Science, University of Maine at Farmington, 1985), Master of Public Administration (University of Maine, Orono, 2005), and Master of Pastoral Studies (Loyola University New Orleans, 2010). In 2011, Rick was ordained to the Deaconate for the Diocese of Portland by Bishop Richard Malone.

As you can see, Rick strived to continually progress in the development and exercise of his skills and abilities in leadership, administration, health planning and spiritual wholeness or holiness. His goal was to assist his Tribe to reach and obtain their personal goals and objectives and become the faith filled people God willed them to be. He strongly believed that Catholic and Native Spirituality are intertwined and enhance each other. Rick also loved biking especially on the Bar Harbor carriage trails, his dogs Sadie and his beloved Kemo. In times past, Rick and Kemo were often seen walking on the Point. He loved Star Trek and actually all science fiction movies. His pilgrimage to Rome for the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha with members of the Tribe and his beloved friend Deacon George Stevens was a true highlight of his journey.


He is survived by his wife Patricia Phillips of Eastport and her daughter Kathleen O’Neil and son-in-law John Sonnett. He met Pat at a new evangelization meeting, but the two fell in love under a waterfall in Niagara Falls. Rick is survived by his sisters: Sister Ethel Moyer of Warrington, PA; Sister Carolyn Moore of Old Lyme, CT; Sister Freda Moore of East Hartford, CT; and brothers: Brother David C. Doyle of South Windsor, CT; and Brother Thomas D. Doyle of Biddeford, ME, as well as sixteen nieces and nephews and many more great nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his ex-wife Dawn Fitch, and her children Sarah Mislang, Sonja Rose, and Donald Fitch-Polk. He was predeceased by his parents and Sister Sharon Doyon of Manchester, CT, and Nephews Richard Moore, Troy Doyle, and Philip Stills.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sipayik Project Hope, PO Box 254, Perry, ME 04667, or Wabanaki Health & Wellness, attn; Wabanaki Public Health, 157 Park St. #5, Bangor, ME 04401, for the prevention and treatment of addiction.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 23rd at 1 p.m. at the Beatrice Rafferty School, Pleasant Point. Concelebrants will be former and present pastors of St. Ann Church of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish assisted by Deacons of the Diocese. The burial will be followed by a reception. Visitation will be held at the family home at 181 County Road in Eastport on Saturday afternoon, Sunday, and Monday morning. Family and friends will pray the rosary at 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday evening. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.

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