Jimmy Doherty, 91, dies in Florida

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James Doherty, 91, most recently of Cocoa Beach, Fla., died after a brief illness at the Vitas Hospice Center in Merritt Island, Fla. on Oct. 21 surrounded by his family. 

Mr. Doherty, known as Jimmy, was born on Feb. 2, 1921 to John Doherty and Rose Quinn in Glenswilly, Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland. He was married to Mary Kelly on Sept. 3, 2000 in Yonkers, N.Y.  Mr. Doherty left Ireland in 1943, first working for several years in England at various Air Force facilities. He then emigrated to the United States in 1947, where he drove a bus in New York City, working his way up the ranks, eventually retiring as the Director of Communications for the Metropolitan Transit Authority. 

Mr. Doherty was a longtime active parishioner at Saint Margaret’s Church in Riverdale, where he also served as a Eucharistic Minister, and later at The Church of Our Savior in Cocoa Beach.

He lived a full and meaningful life, his family said. While he often went back home to Ireland to visit, especially while his father and beloved mother were alive, Mr. Doherty loved his adopted country with unusual passion. But even more importantly, he loved his church, family said. His devotion to the tenets of the Catholic Church guided him in all his daily endeavors. Down to the end of his life, prayer was the most important thing for him. 

Mr. Doherty is survived by his wife, Mary; his son Michael; daughter-in-law Phyllis Solar; and daughter AnneMarie Trese. Mr. Doherty was pre-deceased by his first wife, Margaret Murphy and his son, John. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Amy, Shane, Joshua Solar-Doherty and Michael Trese, according to the family.

Mr. Doherty will be warmly missed by his many nephews and nieces who loved him greatly, his family said. His niece, Sister Rose O’Rourke of Ireland was present at his death.

A wake was held at Beckman Williamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach on Oct. 23 and a funeral mass at the Church of Our Savior in Cocoa Beach on Oct. 24.

Following the funeral mass, his remains were transported to Riverdale, where a second wake was held on Oct. 26 at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home.  A second funeral mass was held at Saint Margaret’s in Riverdale on Oct. 27. Interment was at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, New York following the services.

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