Fire captain overcame obstacles with courage
Don Hoyle dedicated his life to fighting fires, but he also fought health challenges, fought for his country and fought for the best for his family and community.
Mr. Hoyle joined the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department when he was 18, rising to the rank of captain, and remained involved the rest of his life. He helped steer the department as an administrator and once rescued a bedridden Greensburg man from his burning home, said his son, Rickey Hoyle of Greensburg.
“He ... grew up in the fire station because his grandfather was a charter member of Hose Company No. 8. He had that infused into his bloodstream,” his son said.
Donald E. Hoyle of Greensburg died Wednesday, May 11, 2016, in Westmoreland Manor following a stroke. He was 84.
The man whom nurses called “Pappy” and neighbors called “Mighty Moe,” after the character from the Three Stooges, was famous for cutting neighborhood lawns or volunteering to help anyone who needed it, family members said.
He graduated from Greensburg High School and served in the Navy during the Korean War.
Mr. Hoyle remained positive through amputations of both his legs and many other infections and health complications, his family said.
“Some people could easily have given up on life, but he embraced the challenge,” said his daughter, Wendy Veshosky of Greensburg. “I never saw him get frustrated or depressed.”
Mr. Hoyle made sure the family got to go on vacations — usually long weekends to the beach — even though money was tight, Veshosky said.
And he made sure to get away every November to Greensburg Fire Chief Ed Hutchinson's camp where he'd serve as cook and avoid shaving the whole time, said his wife of 63 years, Kay Hoyle.
“He was a humble, kind, loving man who had no enemies. All friends,” she said.
In addition to his wife, son and daughter, Mr. Hoyle is survived by a sister, Joann Arena, and brother, Roy Hoyle, both of Greensburg, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Scott Hoyle, a brother, William Hoyle, and a sister, Nancy Veitch.
Family and friends will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, 524 N. Main St., Greensburg. Members of the Greensburg Fire Department will meet at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home for services. Another viewing will be from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Monday in First United Church of Christ, 312 S. Maple Ave., with services to follow in the church at 10:30 a.m.
Interment with full military honors by VFW Post No. 33 will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park.
Kari Andren is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-850-2856 or kandren@tribweb.com.
