James "Brendan" Regis Doyle

James “Brendan” Regis Doyle died on June 23 at Woldenberg Village after battling dementia for fourteen years. Brendan, as he was known to his friends, was born on January 14, 1946 in Detroit, Michigan, to late Roseanna Florence Dunn Doyle and the late John Paul Doyle. He is survived by Stephen Kuehling, his partner of 39 years, and their cat, Finbar. He is also survived by siblings Patricia Elizabeth Gross, Dennis John Doyle, John Michael Doyle, Daniel Paul Doyle, Theresa Frances Bridget Doyle, Gregory Charles Doyle, Christopher Erwin Doyle and Kathleen Roseanne Doyle. He is preceded in death by his sisters Margaret Marie Doyle and Sandra Jean Doyle and his brothers Richard Hugh Doyle and William Gerard Doyle. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Brendan was a musician-playing, writing and teaching music. He was a person of many talents who wore his talents lightly. He was a gentle soul who, as a teacher, not only taught music but shared his love of music with those he taught.

Our Brendan led an interesting life, to say the least. He had the blessing of meeting Matthew Fox in 1971 in Chicago. He and Matt moved to Massachusetts soon after this. While Matt taught college Brendan sang in a nightclub twice a week. Somewhere around 1972, they moved back to Chicago where Brendan taught a course in astrology as well as a course on musicians. From there he taught “artist as spiritual voyager,” as well as teaching the works of Mahler, Beethoven, Mozart, Bruckner, Bach, and the singing of Hildegard of Bingen’s music.

In 1983 Matt and Brendan moved to Oakland, California, and set up the Institute of Culture and Creation Spirituality at Holy Names College. At Holy Names he taught musicians as spiritual directors and Hildegard’s music as well as being the Administrator of the Spirituality Institute.

Brendan was a lover of animals. In Oakland, California, he had the companionship of Tristan, an American Eskimo dog. In New Orleans he and Stephen, over a thirty year period, lived with dozens of cats and they were a very real part of their lives as loving friends and companions.

In 1986 Brendan met Stephen Kuehling, who was on sabbatical at Holy Names College. In 1987 Stephen moved to Oakland to be with Brendan. In 1990 they moved to New Orleans and made Algiers Point their home. The rest is a succession of cats.

If one were to sum up this life of eighty years, perhaps the best way of describing it would be as a life of simplicity. For all the many hats which he wore, Brendan was not a complicated person. For all his talents he was simply a good person.

Stephen and the rest of Brendan’s family wish to thank the staff of Waldenberg Village for the compassionate care given to Brendan. Thanks are also due to the staff of Ochsner Hospital on Belle Chasse Highway. Over the past several years they, too, gave the best of care to Brendan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Name of Mary Church in Algiers Point on Tuesday, June 30, at 11:00, with visitation at 10:00.