Geraldine S. Wasko Doyle, who was a guide at the World’s Fair in Queens and later was the owner-operator of a restaurant and catering businesses, died of Covid-19 on April 24 at the Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton. The longtime East Hampton resident, who had lived at the nursing home for about a year, was 86 years old and had been ill for two days.
Geri Doyle moved to New York from Ohio in 1962, and worked at the fair’s U.S. Pavilion and the Hollywood Pavilion in 1964 and 1965. There she met her husband, Jim Doyle, and the two were married in July 1966. Together they ran a restaurant in Bayville called Top of the Wall.
In East Hampton, where they moved in 1975, Ms. Doyle managed Star Lanes Bowling Alley for 10 years. She later started a catering company and ran it for about 20 years.
She was born in Campbell, Ohio, on March 3, 1934, to Michael Wasko and the former Irene O. Smith. She grew up there and in Struthers, Ohio, graduating from Campbell Memorial High School in 1951. A year later, she went to work for the Ohio Bell Telephone Company in Youngstown.
Mrs. Doyle was an active parishioner at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Hampton, always volunteering at the annual Silver Tea at Christmas.
“Geri was an excellent cook and loved to entertain. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother,” her family said.
Her husband died before her, as did a brother, Michael Wasko. She is survived by a daughter, Suzanne Bye of East Hampton, and two grandchildren. Two sisters survive as well, Joanne Carbone of Struthers and Arlene Wiseman of East Hampton, and several nieces and nephews.
A private service for family members was held yesterday at Most Holy Trinity; Father Ryan Creamer officiated. Burial followed at the church cemetery on Cedar Street in East Hampton.
