Patrick Dougherty Obituary
On Saturday, January 13, Patrick Eugene Dougherty entered into eternal life, prayerfully surrounded by his grateful family at home in Wilmington, DE. He was 78 years old.
Born to Dominic A. Dougherty II and Joan of Arc (Gillen) Dougherty on December 8, 1945, he was the third of their fifteen children. He spent his happy childhood attending St. Bernard School in Newton, MA, and St. Mary High School in Waltham, MA, playing baseball and basketball, going to CYO meetings and dances, serving Mass with his brothers, and spending many years caddying at Woodland Golf Club. In 1964, he enlisted in the United States Army 1st Infantry Division, and completed two tours during the Vietnam War, service of which he felt honored and proud to fulfill. Upon his completion of duty, he enrolled at Newton Junior College, where he met his beloved wife of 52 years, Irene. They married in 1969. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Boston State College and taught history for two years before embarking on his 38-year career with Amtrak. He was a dedicated labor relations officer, first at South Station in Boston, and later relocating to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, from where he retired in 2009.
He and Irene created a beautiful life for their five children, instilling in them faith, hope, love and integrity. He was a beacon of fairness and wisdom and stood tall in his values. At any given time, he could be found deep in conversation on topics ranging from philosophy and history to Elvis, golf and Gunsmoke. He treasured these moments with his family and was quick to share an anecdote or a classic “Dad†joke (he gauged its success by our groans).
Pat was known for his beautiful baritone voice. As a young man he sang in the choir for respected choir director Barbara O’Callahan, then for many years under the direction of David Tierney at St. Mary’s Church in Waltham. He acted and sang for the Reagle Players in Waltham, starring in such performances as The Mikado and The Student Prince. Singing was his pride and his passion, and he was often tapped to sing for weddings and funerals. Any word or phrase he heard could trigger an impromptu performance. Most recently, he spent over 30 years singing at St. Patrick’s in Wilmington, DE, the community of which became his second family. He was defined by his Catholic faith. As former president and treasurer of the Regina Coeli Society at St. Patrick’s in Wilmington, Pat was dedicated to the preservation of the Latin Mass. He was also a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, recently stepping down as grand knight of the Father James Trainer Council at St. Pat’s. He worked tirelessly to protect the lives of the unborn and their mothers, considering the sanctity of life as paramount.
Patrick never met a stranger and was a loyal friend to all. He considered many people his family, whether he knew them through work, choir, church or socially. He was brother to many, and they loved him in return. Aside from his wife and children, his greatest love was for his 14 brothers and sisters, all of whom grew closer in recent years through their Monday night rosaries on Zoom. They were his best friends in this life and helped carry him through his diagnosis and illness through storytelling, laughter and love. They were the source of immense joy and were integral to his identity.
Pat was predeceased by his beautiful and beloved Irene on January 22, 2022, as well as by his parents, Dom and Joan, and his in-laws, Arthur and Catherine Leacu. He is survived by his children, Christopher Patrick and wife Julie, Carolyn Smith and husband Michael, Elizabeth Irene, Meghan and husband Corey Pettingill, Rebecca Gaunt and husband Nathan, and his 22 grandchildren: Kaitlyn and Patrick Dougherty; Rachael, Matthew, Andrew, Thomas, Anna, Christopher, Mary and John Smith and Sarah Smith Snyman and her husband Daniel; Alycia Perry and Mallory and Declan D’Amato; Caleb and Ruby Pettingill; and Dominic, Alaina, Xavier, Jonas, Elise and Delia Gaunt; and two great-grandchildren, Joan of Arc and Jerome Snyman. He is also survived by his siblings: Joan of Arc of Auburndale, MA; Dominic A. III of Auburndale, MA; Eileen Doell and her husband, Charles, of Maricopa, AZ; Timothy and his wife, Diane, of Montvale, NJ; Dennis and his wife, Jill, of Charlottesville, VA; Mary Aufiero and her husband, Frederick, of Newton, MA; Joseph and his wife, Mary Catherine, of Tiltonsville, OH; Michael and his wife, Elizabeth, of Burnsville, MN; Kathleen Molacek and her husband, Keith, of Bemidji, MN; Kristine of Auburndale, MA; Terence and his wife, Rosemary, of West Roxbury, MA; John and his wife, Maribeth, of Glen Ellyn, IL; Richard and his wife, Julie, of Irving, TX; and Anne Diaz and her husband, Daniel, of Woodland, CA. Also surviving him are his sisters- and brothers-in-law, Jeanne Waters, Brian Leacu, Barbara Holmes, Michael Leacu, Marie Crossley, Teri Leacu, Christopher Leacu, and their spouses, as well as a host of treasured nieces and nephews.
Pat will be waked on Sunday, January 21 from 2-5 PM at Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808, with recitation of the Holy Rosary concluding the wake at 5 PM. His funeral will be a Latin Requiem Mass at 11 AM on January 22 at St. Patrick’s Church, 1414 N. King St, Wilmington, DE 19801, preceded by 10 AM viewing in the church and 10:45 AM rosary before Holy Mass. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Right to Life, PO Box 1222, Wilmington, DE 19899-1222 (www.derighttolife.org).
The family of Patrick Dougherty is eternally grateful for the tireless and exceptional care and treatment by Dr. Clements at Helen Graham Cancer Center, and her attentive staff including his good buddies, Jeff and Mary. We would also like to thank Delaware Hospice and the staff at Doherty Funeral Home for the compassion and respect they showed to our beloved father in his time of need. Thank you. |