Obituary of Edward Doherty

Edward Francis “Ted” Doherty passed away after a long illness at the Kindred Hospital in Peabody on Saturday morning, November 16, 2013. He was 82 years old. He was the son of the late Edward and Miriam (Wellington-Turnbull). Ted grew up and was educated in Woburn. He was a graduate of Woburn High School. He then served in the Army as a Staff Sergeant in the Korean War. Ted was always a hard working individual. He started in his teens first working as a pin setter at the YMCA and Woburn Bowladrome. At age 14, he started as a grocery clerk at the First National Supermarket. He would spend over 40 years working at First National working his way up to grocery manager, supervisor, and produce specialist. He worked in and oversaw First National grocery departments all over Eastern Massachusetts. After First National closed he continued working for many more years at Highland, Manion’s, and Lucci’s Supermarkets. He enjoyed his career, his coworkers, and his many customers. Ted’s life revolved around his family which grew over time. He was lovingly married to 2 wonderful wives, both of whom he predeceased. His first wife, Elizabeth passed at age 46 years old, with their youngest child being 17 years old. He then spent 12 years alone prior to meeting and marrying Janet (Rourke-Carlino). Instantly his family doubled in size. He was a proud and supportive father, who let his children know his views, but respected their decisions. He loved being a grandfather and made an effort to be at as many events, games, and activities his grandchildren participated in. He took great pride in all his family. Ted had a had a number of interests. He was a big sports fan and followed all of Boston’s professional sports teams. He was a member of a number of bowling leagues and the Tewksbury American Legion. He was very well versed on local and national politics. He loved to dance and often the first man on the dance floor. He always looked forward to vacations with family and extended family. He enjoyed going to the Mall, especially during the holidays, to take in all the excitement and sites. Ted was the loving husband of the late Elizabeth (Gottfredsen) and Janet (Rourke-Carlino). He was the loving father of Edward F. Doherty, Jr. & his wife Mary of Venice, FL, William Doherty & his wife Marylou of Holden, MA, Kathleen Essigmann & her husband John of Woburn, Donna Carlino & her husband William Feiring of Bedford, Anthony Carlino & his wife Jean of Stoneham, Denyse Creesy & her husband Robert of Beverly, and the late Michael Doherty. He was predeceased by his brothers; Richard Doherty and Ronald White. Ted was the proud grandfather of Matthew & Brian Doherty, Mikayla, John, & Amanda Essigmann, Alexandra & Christopher Carlino, and Alicia & Jennifer Creesy. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 of Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Tuesday, November 19 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 Monday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Memorials in Edward’s name may be made to the Asperger’s Association of New England, 51 Water St., Suite 206, Watertown, MA 02472 or www.aane.org. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net or www.stmargaretburlington.org Eulogy by Edward Doherty, Jr. Hello, My name is Eddie Doherty – Edward Francis Doherty – the same name as my dad and 2 dads before that. I want to thank you all for being here. For my dad “Ted” Doherty , for my brother William and my sister Kathy and the rest of our family. It means a lot to us. We spent many a Sunday here at St. Margaret's My dad was a simple man. Born and raised in Woburn, He was an altar boy at St. Charles and attended Woburn High School. In the early 50's he went off to the army during the Korean war. Earned the rank of staff Sargent. He had a marksman medal. Married my mother Elizabeth, “Betty” from Medford. Worked at a grocery store called First National for 40 years. Also he started a family in those simpler almost long forgotten times. Yes my dad was a simple man. We were asked about hobbies and clubs he belonged to. Special achievements and awards...... It made us and me think of my father’s accomplishments. His dad died when my father was very young and it also made me think about how do become a good father without the benefit of having your own. Every decision where my parents gave up part of their life in order to enrich me, my brother, sister, nieces, nephews, grandkids – that’s was a gift from them to us. Every time they drove us to a practice, every dime saved for education, every meal cooked, every time they hold you back in the car seat while braking suddenly – everything they do during your life can be thought of as a gift without wrapping paper. A present without a card. Like a birthday every day. I can remember having a discussion as a kid at around age 7 about the existence of Santa Claus. My argument was he had to exist because there was no way my parents could afford all those presents. He would bring us to the Colonial Inn in Lynnfield, middle of winter, so we could swim in the pool. He would bring us to our version of Disney World..... Pleasure Island in Wakefield. ….. plus Bensons Animal farm, Canobie Lake Park, Aunt Mary and Uncle Pete's house on Newfound Lake in NH. He would rent a house many summers in Biddeford, Maine so that we could have a vacation. He would also would yell at me for making too much noise and mess fixing cars and motorcycles in the driveway. The last lesson he gave to me was from bedside as he told me to speak up and that I need to “project” when I talk. I'll use that one in my new job as a teacher. My dad was a simple man with simple pleasures. And this I extend to each and every one of you sitting here today. It was once written that the value of a person’s life is directly related to the number of people they positively affect. I personally believe that a person’s spirit lives on through the people they meet and affect. Many are here today, and I’m sure he is very glad about that.