Joseph 'Joe' Dougherty, mechanical foreman

Joseph J. "Joe" Dougherty, 80, of Lewes, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. He was born on Dec. 21, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of the late John and Mary (Snee) Dougherty.

Joe bravely served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge from the service, Joe began a lifelong career as a mechanical foreman with the Pfizer Company, retiring in 1988.

He had an enormous talent for working with wood; he could take any piece of wood and turn it into a masterpiece. He was very handy and could fix anything, and liked tinkering around the house. Joe was an avid reader, enjoyed singing, loved solving Sudoku puzzles and stumping his grandchildren with riddles. Joe held family in the highest esteem which could be witnessed by all in his daily life. His grandchildren brought him the greatest joy. Joe will be remembered as a devoted and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by a brother, John Dougherty Jr.; and three sisters, Theresa Gurnell, Helen Wenker and Jean Grey. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Lottie of Lewes; three daughters, Donna Dougherty of Brooklyn, Nancy Dougherty of Troy, N.Y. and Kathy Rowland and her husband James of Brooklyn; five grandchildren, Shanah Cole, Morgan Dougherty-Messing, Sam Dougherty-Messing, Ally Rowland and Sean Rowland; a brother, Michael Dougherty of Brooklyn; a sister, Kaye Timoney of Brooklyn' and his beloved canine companion, Tillie, a Schnauzer, whom he adored.

All services will be private. A Memorial Mass will be held in Brooklyn, at a later date. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Please visit Joe's Life Memorial webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.