Shane Michael Doyle

Shane Michael Doyle, 44, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2020, after a courageous two-year battle against cancer. Born a warrior and a lifelong winner March 28, 1976, the son of Connie and Doug Hicks. Married to his high school sweetheart, Sarah (Bixby) Doyle, for 24 years. Survived by his parents; his wife; his sons, Jacob (25) and Jackson (22); his sisters, Shannon Love and Rachael Guess; and his brother, Ryan Hicks. Shane received his Bachelor’s degree in leadership and development from Judson University. For over 20 years, Shane was incredibly passionate about his role as a leader.  He took pride in mentoring his team and cared about their success as much as his own. He retired as Vice President of Operations for United States Infrastructure Corporation (USIC). 

If you knew Shane, Shane-O, Shane Dawg, Doyle, you knew where you stood with him. He spoke his mind freely and passionately, with loving adoration and respect, sometimes with more reckless abandon than his wife would have recommended. Bursting with perspective and wisdom, Shane counseled countless friends and family members through the challenges of life. If he liked you even a little bit, he’d stick his whole neck out for you, go yard for you. 

Shane did the same and more for his family. He was a devoted husband who called Sarah “Beautiful” like it was her name. He was a protective father who cared deeply about raising Jacob and Jackson as smart, strong, respectful young men. He was a dedicated, loving son, a supportive and steadfast brother. He uncled his nieces and nephews with tenderness and wit. He had a soft, squishy spot for his two Goldendoodles, Remi and Finnie. He cherished family traditions, family vacations, family first. Family was everything. Shane never held back.  

He was a hopeless optimist, a tenacious fighter, a relentless storyteller, a faithful friend, a disciplined coach, and a fierce competitor of everything he put his mind to, be it baseball, basketball, board games, poker, or golf. He was an avid sports fan, happiest in comfortable clothes and colorful hats repping the Cubs, the Bears, Notre Dame football, and Duke basketball. Where was Doyle? He was playing the game, coaching the game, watching the game, or betting on the game. Usually in Las Vegas. The man LOVED Vegas, especially the trips with his boys. 

He also loved a wide range of music, from Phil Collins to Zac Brown to Snoop Dogg to Fleetwood Mac to Marcus King Band. He listened to it live, loud in the car, on the back deck by the pool, and on the boat while he cruised around Lake Carroll with a cold Coors Light and his loved ones all around him. He loved grilling out, good Italian food, and, once every ten years or so, a breakfast gyros sandwich from Pete’s Kitchen in Denver, CO. He was an encyclopedia of movie quotes, with some of his favorites including Bourne Identity, Shawshank Redemption, Tombstone, and Rounders.   

Shane made big, lasting memories with every moment he had. Life was to be experienced with bright eyes and an open heart: he booked the trip, went to the concert, bought the overpriced tickets to that once-in-a-lifetime game. He smiled big and patient and kind, a hundred-thousand times, for the hundred-thousand family photos that Sarah was always snapping and that his family will now cherish for the rest of their days. 

He will be remembered by everyone who met him, for one reason or another two dozen, for the rest of their days. His loss will ripple, grow into waves, crest tall as a tower, and crash across a vast sea of people who had the good fortune to know him. No one will ever feel the same without him. Everyone is better for having loved and been loved by him.      

A walk through visitation will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Honquest Family Funeral Homes with Crematory, Roscoe Chapel, 11342 Main St., Roscoe, IL.  A Celebration of Life will follow on Sunday afternoon. Invite and location to be shared on Friday. In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to the family for a future memorial golf celebration in honor of Shane and with proceeds benefiting colon cancer research and early screening. 

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