Lawrence J. Doyle

Stanfordville - Lawrence "Larry" J. Doyle of Stanfordville, NY passed away on Monday, September 12, 2011 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, surrounded by his family. He was born in Amityville, NY in 1955. His father, Edward, predeceased him in 1975, and his mother, Margaret, passed away in 2010.

Larry is survived by his siblings, Edward Doyle of Stanfordville, William Doyle and his wife Mary of Rhinebeck; Barbara Hoxsie and her husband Ed of Clinton Corners; and Greg Doyle and his wife Nina of Rhinebeck. He is also survived by his nephews, Liam, Edward, Zachary, Nicholas, Gregory and Richard, and a niece, Johanna.

For 56 years, he has been and will remain the spirit and centering example for his family, his friends and the people he touched, simply with an innocent smile, a selfless hello and extended arms in search of a hug. He must have felt that his mission was complete because after the longest and most courageous battle any human being could ever fight, Larry has decided it is time to rest.

He first attended special education classes in Hicksville, NY until the family moved to Stanfordville in 1965. He entered the program at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Millbrook and later went to Pine Plains, where he was the first ever Down Syndrome person in their slow learner class, and where he was embraced by many friends for a number of years as a member of the wrestling team.

Upon graduating from Pine Plains, Larry became affiliated with ARC and worked through that agency at IBM, Caldors, and Ames, as well as the program workshops. He was also a charter member of the ARC REC Club and competed locally, regionally and at the NY State level in Special Olympics.

Larry lived at home his entire life. As anyone who knew him for more than a few minutes knows, he loved music and dancing. He also traveled extensively through the country with Sprout and went on numerous cruises with his mother and a network of friends.

His was a very special life that was lived fully, and now it will continue to live on through all those who were made so much fuller for his having been with us.

Calling hours are from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 pm on Friday, September 16, 2011 at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 7749 South Main St., Pine Plains.

Funeral services will held at 11 am on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Stanford Cemetery, Stanfordville, NY.

Memorial contributions are requested to the Special Olympics of New York, 211 E. 43rd St., New York, NY 10017, or the Stanford Fire Company, PO Box 437, Stanfordville, NY 12581.

Arrangements by the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, South Main St., Pine Plains, NY.

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