Francis A. Dougherty

After several days spent surrounded by the love and laughter of his family, Francis A. Dougherty died early in the morning of January 11, 2017, at the Roberts Care Center of Haven Hospice in Palatka, FL. Born June 5, 1932, in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of Francis A. and Dorothy Berry Dougherty. He graduated from Snyder High School in Jersey City. Following enlistment and a tour of duty in the U. S. Army, his entire career was spent as a bus driver with the New Jersey Transit Authority.

Mr. Dougherty married Edith Meaks, the nursing school classmate of his sister Claire, on December 24, 1956. They raised their three children in Jersey City before moving to Branchville, NJ in 1972. Fishing, boating, tinkering, gardening, reading, and spending time with his family filled his non-work hours. Once retired, he and his wife moved to Colony Cove in New Port Richey, FL, first as “snowbirds” and later as full-time residents. Mr. Dougherty soon was elected Colony Cove’s Harbor Master. With little action in the harbor, collecting and crushing aluminum cans were his key duties as proceeds from the aluminum recycling paid for the community’s annual picnic. The itinerant “B&F Construction Company” operated for decades along the eastern seaboard, as Mr. Dougherty and his brother Bob repaired each other’s homes, as well as those of their children.

In 2011, Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty moved to St. Augustine to be closer to family. Although in his last years he was less able to boat or tinker, he enjoyed spending hours with his grandson Michael cruising boat and automotive websites, picking out boats and cars, and looking for just the right part for Michael’s car restoration projects.

A quiet and unassuming man, Mr. Dougherty was generally undemanding, except on Fridays when he vehemently refused to eat meat.

Mr. Dougherty is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edith Dougherty of St. Augustine, FL; son Francis Dougherty of Alexandria, VA; daughter Dorothy Dougherty and wife Elizabeth Way of Manassas, VA; daughter Kathy Barry and husband Ron of St. Augustine, FL, with whom Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty lived for the past three years; grandson Joshua Ropp and wife Amy Franke and their sons Elliot and Oliver of Centennial, CO; granddaughter Dr. Sarah Dougherty and husband Kevin Dourand and their son Owen of Brooklyn, NY; grandson Taylor Dougherty of Brooklyn, NY; granddaughter Dr. Nicole Brzozowski of Miami, FL; grandson Michael Barry of St. Augustine, FL; brother Robert Dougherty and his wife Charlotte of Lecanto, FL; and brother Bruce Downey and his wife Eileen of Long Island, NY. Mr. Dougherty was predeceased by his parents Francis A. Dougherty and Dorothy Downey; sister Claire Dougherty Stadier; brother Patrick Downey; sister Alice Dougherty Wasson; sister Edith Dougherty Rowland; and grandson Matthew Brzozowski.

The family is grateful for the skilled, patient, and loving care provided to Mr. Dougherty by Haven Hospice, particularly by Toni Wright, during the past few years.

Arrangements under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL.