Obituary of James Doherty

James A. “Jim” Doherty, who was the retired CEO Brockhouse Corporation, passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington on Saturday afternoon, October 15, 2011. He was 76 years old. Jim was born in Boston, the son of the late Howard and Mary Doherty. He grew up in Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School. At 18 years old, he went to work as a Cost Accountant at Donnelly Manufacturing in Waltham. While working, he served 10 years in the Air National Guard and went to college at night. After years of school, he graduated with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He remained with Donnelley Manufacturing eventually becoming the company Treasurer. The company was purchased by Brockhouse Corporation, where he eventually replaced the company founder as CEO. He retired after 35 years with the company. He also was part owner of Barry’s Shiphaven Restaurant with his cousin Tom Barry. Jim loved sports. He played basketball and baseball as a child. In his adult years, he played softball with his coworkers and regular played basketball with his friends. He coached baseball and hockey for Burlington’s youth programs. He was a 40 year Bruins season ticket holder and shared the jubilation of Bobby Orr’s Stanley Cup goal with his wife. He was a Boston Braves, but eventually become a Yankees fan. He followed all Boston sports teams as well. Jim was diagnosed with Von Hippel Lindau 50 years ago and he did not that let that sickness effect the way he embraced life. Jim loved people and made you feel welcome and loved. He appreciated the simple things in live; working in his yard, going to the beach, music, and time spent with his many family and friends. He loved traditions of Sunday dinner, Christmas parties, and celebrations. When Jim entered the room, you couldn’t help not knowing he was there. He was an entertainer, a great host, social chairman, and the life of the party. It wasn’t unusual for Jim to knock at your door dressed as Santa, Elvis, or some other character to bring you to your knees in laughter. His Christmas parties, with his sing-a-longs grew so big; he had to rent a hall. He loved family vacations in York, Wells Maine, or spent on the road exploring the United States. Jim lived with illness without trepidation, embracing each day spent with his family and friends. When his sickness limited his ability to get around, his family and friends returned the loved he showed them in the way he was lovingly cared for. He will be remembered not for his passing, but how he lived. Jim was the beloved husband of 53 years of Theresa M. (Sullivan). He was the loving father of Regina Fitzpatrick & her husband Tom, Brian Doherty, and Michele Boudros & her husband Bob all of Billerica. He was the brother of Clare Brown of Port St. Lucie, FL and the late Elizabeth Newson. He was the loving and fun grandfather of Kenny & Stephen Rogers, Taylor Fitzpatrick, Brian Doherty, Jr., Abby and Bobby Boudros. He was also survived by many brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Friday, Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to the Von Hippel Lindau Family Alliance, 2001 Beacon St., Suite 208, Boston, MA 02135-7787 or www.vhl.org Dad’s Eulogy We thought about having everyone sing the “Twelve Days of Christmas”, but given how long it took our Dad to arrange the groups, we figured we’d save that for another time. When we think of our father, two things come to mind: family and traditions. This all began while Dad was growing up in Medford with his parents and two sisters, whom he loved so much. Into his adult life, the bond he had with Clare and Bette, grew closer and closer. Family gatherings and days at the Brown’s pool were times that Dad always enjoyed. He began working at the age of 18 for a Sheet Metal company. With his dedication and work ethics, he grew with the company and eventually became the CEO. The relationships he made throughout the years were more than colleagues, they were strong friendships. Dad also enjoyed the work he did as part owner of a family restaurant, Barry’s Shiphaven, with his cousin, Tom Barry. Dad enjoyed the simple things in life. A day spent in the yard was one of his best days; pulling weeds with Neil Diamond music playing in the background and Dad bellowing out the words for all the neighbors to hear. A trip to the local store was an opportunity for Dad to spend time with his kids. He was always looking for one of us to go along for the ride. We quickly learned that walking in front of the car was not a good idea. Dad thought it was so funny to beep the horn and watch us jump. This never got old for Dad. Most people go the beach with just their towels and suntan lotion, but not Jim. He wouldn’t forget anything. Whether you needed good music, salt and pepper for the many sandwiches he packed and of course, there was always cold beer. He found such happiness with the warm sun, lying in the sand and surrounded by family and friends. In this fast changing world, we could always count on the traditions and rituals Dad lived by. Christmas morning he would have us standing behind the hall door, while he turned on the lights and Christmas music. He would playfully tease about all the surprises Santa had left us and he found such joy in seeing our excitement. Even as we grew older, Dad still had us waiting behind that hall door. Then there were the Christmas parties our parents had for over 40 years. They both put so much love and effort into preparing for the parties, but once the first guest arrived, it was show time for Dad. Without fail, he would gather his family to sing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”, but after the first few words, we realized we were just the backup singers and Dad was the true entertainer! Any newcomer to the party would not just sit in the background. Another rule for the party was, if it was your first year, you got up and sang! Family gatherings were filled with much laughter. You always knew when Jim entered the room. He would get a kick out of teasing us all. Whether he would squish his way onto a very crowded couch or hug and kiss us too tightly. After a Thanksgiving dinner spent with the Browns and Newsons we took the drive down to Norwell to see all the Sullivans. Most families would just enter the home and say hello, but that was never enough for our Dad. We had to take the extra few minutes to help dress him in an Elvis costume so he could enter strumming his guitar and singing loudly. Mom, Brian, Michele and I would wonder if this was a typical scenario for other families, but to us it was very normal. Throughout all of Dad’s fun, crazy times, there was always the quiet strength beside him, his wife Theresa. Our Mom and Dad did it right. Their marriage of 53 years was one that we all admired. Their Saturday nights were spent dressing up and going out to dinner and dancing. Many people would comment in how much they loved to watch our parents dance together. Throughout their marriage they always made a point to make time for each other. She was the love of his life and he showed this by bringing home flowers every Sunday and other small gestures, too many to name. The love and support our parents had for each other was the foundation that made us such a close family. As his children, it made us so proud to call him our Dad. All three of us had such a special bond with him and Dad had the great ability to make us feel like we were each his favorite. He loved spoiling us with the little things, for example always making sure our cars were warmed up in the winter, by bringing us hot coffee in the morning and driving us to endless fields and hockey rinks. Another story that shows our father’s generosity was how he loved making school lunches. He put so much love into making them that word caught on how good they were and he was soon making them for Michele’s friends and even teachers put in requests. His six grandchildren loved their Papa so much. He found great joy in going to the fields to watch Kenny, Steve and Brian and was so proud when he heard of all their successes they made in school and sports. The visits he had from Abby, Taylor and Bobby brought him so much happiness. He loved watching the girls perform a dance and Bobby playing with his trucks. The three little ones thought it was so fun to play the role of “nurse” and take care of Papa. It became a choo-choo train as we all wheeled Papa down the hall. As many of you know, Dad lived with VHL for most of his life, yet he never let that affect the way he lived life to the fullest. A lesson Dad believed in was: you can’t control what happens, you can only control how you handle it and that statement rang so true with him. Over the past two years, it was easy to see this illness was taking a toll on him. It was a true testament to the kind of man he was…never giving up. When his final time came, God blessed him by giving a peaceful passing. God has been really great by giving us this wonderful man and letting us know him for so long. He loved life, he celebrated it every minute and he will be remembered not for his passing, but how he lived.