John Anthony Doherty, 77, a lifelong Worcester resident passed away Friday, September 25 peacefully surrounded by his family.
John is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia (Boyle), His children, Michael and his wife Roberta, of Worcester; John and his wife Karen of Southborough; Megan Ober and her husband Scott of Worcester; Brian and his wife Suzanne of Wellesley; Katie Friend and her husband Aric of Worcester. He is also survived by his fifteen grandchildren, MacKenzie, Regan, Thomas, Caroline, Brendan, Emma, Matthew, Lauren, Tyler, Connor, Parker, Henry, Spencer, Annie, and Margot. Additionally, he is survived by his brother Cornelius of Worcester and his sister, Noreen Early and her husband Paul, of North Brookfield and many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his twin boys, his mother, Catherine (McAuliffe) and father, Michael, his step-father John Wynne, his brothers; Paul, George and Michael Doherty and his sisters, Mary Murray, Kathleen Ellis and Ellen McCourt, and his niece Maryellen Richinick.
John was born on December 13, 1937. He attended St. Paul’s Grammar School and St. Johns High School, graduating in 1956. He also attended Worcester State College and New England School of Accounting. John worked for New England Telephone and the subsequent spin-offs of the ‘phone company’ for close to 40 years, retiring in 2000. John was a life-long worker and also held several part time jobs which he enjoyed including Smithfield’s Ice Cream and Perfect Package. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Div. #36, the Irish Cultural Center in Canton and the Telephone Pioneers of America. He was a loyal and vocal fan at all of his children’s baseball, field hockey, softball, soccer, football, hockey and basketball games. He was a coach in Jesse Burkett Little League and Worcester Pee Wee Hockey. More recently, Grampy could be found along the sidelines with Grammy cheering on many of his fifteen grandchildren at their college, high school and recreational league softball, hockey, lacrosse and soccer games. His favorite activities always involved his grandchildren and he will be greatly missed as a fun-loving wiffle-ball pitcher, artist, puzzle maker, checker champion, card shark, ever-ready dog walker and story teller.
The family would like to thank the staff, especially the nursing team on the third floor, at St. Mary Health Care Center for their kindness and compassion shown to John during his short time there.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 29 from CALLAHAN~FAY~CASWELL Funeral Home with a Mass at 10 am in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant Street. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery. Visiting Hours are Monday, September 28 from 4 to 7 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to, The Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or the Worcester T&G Santa, PO Box 15012, Worcester, MA 01615