Obituary for Jerome D. "Jerry" Dougherty
Jerome “Jerry" David Dougherty, born January 18, 1946, the middle child among the brood of 11 born to Harold and Phyllis Dougherty, passed peacefully at his cherished home on the lake, February 20, 2023. Jerry was a proud and faithful husband, predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Kimberly Dougherty, just 19 days earlier, father to Jennifer (Tim), John (Mark) and Colleen (Bryan) to which he gave more life, love and inspiration than he could ever imagine. But Papa to Ruairi, Gideon and Kilian, was undeniably his most treasured role in this life. Never did his Irish eyes smile more than when telling a story about his beautiful, smart granddaughter or his witty, fun and mischievous little buddies. And while at a distance, he never hesitated a moment to ask about his inherited grandson’s Fisher and West.
Jerry is survived by his sisters, Cheryl Bryar (Bill), Pam Arrigenna (Peter), Kay McAfee (Ron), brothers Kevin, Peter (Barb), brother-in-law Steve Harrison (Kathy) and dozens of loving and loved nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Marcia Quinlan (Kevin), Karen Arrigenna (Jim), MaryJane Stoltman (Paul), sister-in-law Susan Dougherty and brothers Jim (Eileen) and John.
Jerry’s love for life, his family, his friends, his faith, his fellow Rotarians and anyone walking down the street willing to strike up a conversation, was a contagious gift that was irresistible. There was never a time that a party of 5 to 500 wasn’t called for, as long as he could convince Kim to get out the invitations and pull together the right food. He just needed time to make sure he had enough Bailey’s and Jameson on hand and to fastidiously manicure his lawn. Which of course meant engaging his longest and most loyal friend, Ernie and his dedicated helper, Luke.
Jerry, with his faithful better half, Kim, by his side, was an unstoppable force for good times, great laughs and generous giving. Most notably this was seen in his passion and commitment to his community as a Rotarian, living the motto “Service Above Self,” every day. But, if you were lucky enough to be brought into the “family,” whether by blood, sharing a Bailey’s, a Notre Dame bus trip or simply showing up for his favorite 3rd of July celebrations on the lake, you knew and felt his love of life, his goodwill and loyal friendship. Like Kim, he was also the beloved "American parent" to so many foreign exchange students and used that opportunity to learn about and travel the world. He treasured his years of both morning coffee at the Village restaurant and afternoon coffee at Pizzaland. More recently the stories stemmed from “the lunch bunch” and an afternoon coffee at Ernie and Joanne’s.
Jerry’s was a life well-lived and leaving many stories to be told of Adirondack summer vacations, fishing and skiing trips with his buddies, holiday parties and beautiful sunsets on the Florida beach. While he leaves countless friends and family to remember him, Jerry left this world to celebrate with the countless many treasured family and friends with whom we know he is already having a party.
Jerry graduated from Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science in Syracuse in 1968. Upon graduation he received his Funeral Directors license and purchased the J. Leo Light Funeral Home in Avon. In the late 1970’s Jerry closed his funeral home and partnered with Franklynn “Steve” Stephenson to form Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc. and O’Connell-Drowne Funeral Home in Lima. The partnership continued until 1991 when Steve retired. Jerry continued in the Funeral Service until his retirement in 2002. He was a member of the Livingston County Funeral Directors Association, New York State Funeral Directors Association and the Nation Funeral Directors Association.
You are invited to celebrate with family and friends, as he did for so many and as only he would have it. Calling hours Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 2 – 6 PM at the Stephenson – Dougherty Funeral Home 350 Genesee Street, Avon. His Funeral Mass will be held Monday, February 27, 2023 at 11:30AM at St. Agnes Church, 96 Prospect Street, Avon. Interment St. Agnes Cemetery, Avon. Donations in his honor may be made to the Avon Food Pantry,108 Prospect St., Avon, NY 14414
Jerry is survived by his sisters, Cheryl Bryar (Bill), Pam Arrigenna (Peter), Kay McAfee (Ron), brothers Kevin, Peter (Barb), brother-in-law Steve Harrison (Kathy) and dozens of loving and loved nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Marcia Quinlan (Kevin), Karen Arrigenna (Jim), MaryJane Stoltman (Paul), sister-in-law Susan Dougherty and brothers Jim (Eileen) and John.
Jerry’s love for life, his family, his friends, his faith, his fellow Rotarians and anyone walking down the street willing to strike up a conversation, was a contagious gift that was irresistible. There was never a time that a party of 5 to 500 wasn’t called for, as long as he could convince Kim to get out the invitations and pull together the right food. He just needed time to make sure he had enough Bailey’s and Jameson on hand and to fastidiously manicure his lawn. Which of course meant engaging his longest and most loyal friend, Ernie and his dedicated helper, Luke.
Jerry, with his faithful better half, Kim, by his side, was an unstoppable force for good times, great laughs and generous giving. Most notably this was seen in his passion and commitment to his community as a Rotarian, living the motto “Service Above Self,” every day. But, if you were lucky enough to be brought into the “family,” whether by blood, sharing a Bailey’s, a Notre Dame bus trip or simply showing up for his favorite 3rd of July celebrations on the lake, you knew and felt his love of life, his goodwill and loyal friendship. Like Kim, he was also the beloved "American parent" to so many foreign exchange students and used that opportunity to learn about and travel the world. He treasured his years of both morning coffee at the Village restaurant and afternoon coffee at Pizzaland. More recently the stories stemmed from “the lunch bunch” and an afternoon coffee at Ernie and Joanne’s.
Jerry’s was a life well-lived and leaving many stories to be told of Adirondack summer vacations, fishing and skiing trips with his buddies, holiday parties and beautiful sunsets on the Florida beach. While he leaves countless friends and family to remember him, Jerry left this world to celebrate with the countless many treasured family and friends with whom we know he is already having a party.
Jerry graduated from Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science in Syracuse in 1968. Upon graduation he received his Funeral Directors license and purchased the J. Leo Light Funeral Home in Avon. In the late 1970’s Jerry closed his funeral home and partnered with Franklynn “Steve” Stephenson to form Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc. and O’Connell-Drowne Funeral Home in Lima. The partnership continued until 1991 when Steve retired. Jerry continued in the Funeral Service until his retirement in 2002. He was a member of the Livingston County Funeral Directors Association, New York State Funeral Directors Association and the Nation Funeral Directors Association.
You are invited to celebrate with family and friends, as he did for so many and as only he would have it. Calling hours Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 2 – 6 PM at the Stephenson – Dougherty Funeral Home 350 Genesee Street, Avon. His Funeral Mass will be held Monday, February 27, 2023 at 11:30AM at St. Agnes Church, 96 Prospect Street, Avon. Interment St. Agnes Cemetery, Avon. Donations in his honor may be made to the Avon Food Pantry,108 Prospect St., Avon, NY 14414