Joseph J. Dougherty, Jr., 82

July 06, 2018

Joseph J. Dougherty Jr., 82, of Ephrata, PA passed away peacefully on Friday, July, 6, 2018 surrounded by his family.
Born in Miners Hospital in Ashland, PA, Joe was proud to have grown up in Mt Carmel, PA. He was the son of the late Joseph J. Dougherty Sr. and Marguerite (Bloom) Dougherty. He was the loving husband of Catherine A. (Beaver) Dougherty with whom he shared 52 years of marriage.
Joe was a 1954 graduate of Mt Carmel Catholic High School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force after high school and served honorably during the Korean Conflict as a Staff Sergeant, Cryptograph Operator. Joe retired from Federal Mogul after 35 years of service as a receiving and parts clerk. Following his retirement, he worked part time in the circulation department at Lancaster Newspapers for 10 years.
Joe was a member at St. Anne’s Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and enjoyed volunteering with the kitchen crew. Joe was a life member of the Anthracite Steam Fire Co., Mt Carmel, PA. He was a founding charter member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #6810. He was also a member on the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly #915 as well as a member of the American Legion Post #56 Lititz.
In addition to his wife he is survived by two children, Joseph J. Dougherty III, husband of Kimberly (Huegel) Dougherty of Lancaster and Colleen Ann Dougherty of Ephrata; four grandsons Dalton Charles Dougherty, Sean Milton Dougherty, James Anthony Dougherty and Michael Ryan Dougherty; two sisters, Regina Smith (Clark) of Ocala, FL, and Patricia Simmons Splitt (Kenneth) of Kulpmont, PA and also many nieces and nephews who he loved very much.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Sean Edward Dougherty and two sisters, Mary Lou Shultz and Joan Paul.
Joe was known for his love of family and friends and was seldom missing a family event. He followed his grandsons from event to event and game to game. He loved following football especially the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Pittsburgh Steelers. Joe was known for his many anecdotes and quick witted responses such as “such as the way of life” and “silver new nothing to hang on your nose”.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 12Noon at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 929 N. Duke St, Lancaster with Fr. Tri M. Luong as celebrant and co-celebrant Fr. Edward Lavelle. Family and friends will be received from 10AM-12Noon prior to the mass. Interment at All Saints Cemetery, Elysburg will be scheduled at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests memorial contributions in Joe’s memory be made to one of the following: Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive Lancaster PA, 17604 or to the church at the above address.