(1) Doyle Heffron
(2) Dundee Scots Button
(3) Dundee Scots
(4) Scots on Parade
1967 Winnipeg Canada
1969 Cherry Festival
1970 Cherry Festival
1972 Dundee Scots (13)
1971 Doyle Heffron DCHS Yearbook Photo
1973 DCHS Yearbook
1974 Scots Florida Review
1975 Dundee Scots (16)
1976 DCHS Yearbook
1977 Dundee Scots (5)
Doyle Heffron Gravestone
Thomas Doyle Heffron
January 6, 1937 – March 23, 2008 (Age 71)
Thomas Doyle Heffron, 71, of Traverse City, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2008, from influenza and pneumonia, at Munson Hospice House with his family at his side.
Doyle was born in LaSalle, IL., on Jan. 6, 1937, the son of Margaret Ann (Doyle) and Thomas Manning Heffron. He graduated from high school and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in music education from Illinois State University. On June 16, 1962, he married Judith Ann Frantz in Loves Park, IL.
One of Doyle’s greatest passions and successes in life was beginning the Dundee Scots Marching Band from Dundee, Ill. Starting with 15 students, the band grew to over 200 students and became nationally known as one of the premiere marching bands in the country. They were chosen to participate in two Presidential Inaugural Parades; escorted Santa in the Macy’s Parade; and were well known for their competitions, including the National Cherry Festival.
In 1979, Doyle and his family moved to Traverse City, where he served as the Executive Director of the National Cherry Festival. Through his leadership, the festival grew from a three-day event to an eight-day celebration. Upon leaving the festival, he returned to what he loved the most – teaching kids music – until he retired in 2000.
For nearly 25 years, he had enjoyed spending several afternoons each week meeting with his buddies at the South City Limits to discuss the topics of the day. Doyle was very close to his family; his wife, children and grandchildren were most important to him.
Doyle is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Terri Heffron of Grand Rapids, Matt Heffron of Key West, Fla., Kelly (Clay) Smith of Macomb Township, Holly Heffron of Eau Claire, Wis.; grandchildren, Avery, Ethan, Jasmine, Jada and Elleana; and his sister, Pat (Steve) Cartwright of Dayton, Ohio.
Doyle was preceded in death by his parents; and stepmother, Rita.