Retired Banker, Civic Leader Francis Doyle Is Dead At 89 Won Loving Cup In 1975
Times Picayune  03-2-1996

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Francis C. Doyle, a retired banking executive and longtime civic activist who
received The Times-Picayune's Loving Cup in 1975 for his contributions to the
community, died Friday. He was 89.

Mr. Doyle retired as executive vice president of First National Bank of
Commerce in 1971. He joined the bank in 1933, the year it was founded. He
remained a director through 1976.

In the ensuing years, Mr. Doyle continued his civic contributions, accepting
the chairmanship of the 1980 Heart Fund Campaign and leading a drive to raise
$100,000 for La Fete de la Nouvelle Orleans.

Earlier, Mr. Doyle worked on many volunteer endeavors, including more than 20
years as a member of the board of Children's Hospital. He helped raise $7
million for a major expansion of the hospital in the 1970s.

He also was involved with several area universities, serving as chairman of
the Dillard-Xavier Fund Council and a member of Loyola's President's Council,
Tulane's Deferred Gifts Committee and the board of St. Mary's Dominican
College.

In a 1976 interview, Mr. Doyle said he didn't get involved in his outside
interests through the bank's public relations department.

"I did it on my own," he said, adding that it is important for employees of
big companies to do civic work. "It shows you have a heart," he said.

Mr. Doyle, a New Orleans native who dropped out of high school at 14 after his
father became ill, began his banking career as a runner for Canal Bank and
Trust Co.

He returned to school nine years later, taking high school equivalency courses
at night at Loyola. After progressing to college-level courses, he received a
bachelor's degree in accounting. He graduated from the Loyola School of Law in
1944, the same year he was promoted to assistant vice president and trust
officer at First NBC.

When he retired, Mr. Doyle was executive vice president in charge of the
bank's Trust and Investment Department.

In addition to the Loving Cup in 1975, Mr. Doyle received the Weiss Award for
human relations and brotherhood from the National Conference of Christians and
Jews, and the Gold Award for citizenship from Dominican College, both in 1969.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Moore Doyle; a daughter, Mary Ann Doyle;
and a grandchild.

A private funeral was held Friday. Burial was at Hope Mausoleum. A memorial
Mass will be said Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St.
Charles Ave.