Mr. Matthew Al Alan Docherty

“Anything is possible.” That is what Mr. Matthew Alan Docherty believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Al thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Al was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

      Al was born on February 18, 1956 at Weston in Toronto, Ontario. His parents were Matthew and Margaret Docherty. Al was raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Al could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Al's family relationships. Al was raised with two siblings. He had one older bother, Jim, and one younger sister, Joan. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Al was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      As a young boy, Al could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. Al took part in hockey and played football in high school. He was an air cadet and earned his pilots license.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Al enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Al was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Bayview Secondary High School in Richmond Hill. In 1975. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

      On December 19, 1981 Al exchanged wedding vows with Linda Agnes Dunbar at Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church of Richmond Hill, Ontario. Al was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Al was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Al was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Linda. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that Al loved to argue for argument’s sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Linda's.

Our wedding song

"CRYSTAL"

by Stevie Nicks

Do you always trust your first initial feeling

Special knowledge holds truth bears believing

I turned around

And the water was closing all around

Like a glove

Like the love that had finally, finally found me

Then I knew

In the crystalline knowledge of you

Drove me through the mountains

Through the crystal-like clear water fountain

Drove me like a magnet

To the sea

How the faces of love have changed turning

The pages

And I have changed oh, but you...you remain

Ageless

I turned around

And the water was closing all around

Like a glove

Like the love that had finally, finally found me

Then I knew

In the crystalline knowledge of you

Drove me through the mountains

Through the crystal-like clear water fountain

Drove me like a magnet

To the sea

      Al's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Al was blessed with three children, two sons, Kenneth and Ian, and one daughter, Heather. Someone who was quick to laugh, Al found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them. Al loved all his children in many special ways. Ken is the athlete, many countless hours were spent going to practices and games. We shuffled from soccer fields, to baseball fields and hockey arenas. We travelled miles and miles within Ontario and thru the northern states for hockey. Very strong bonds and friendships grew out of those years. Ian is the musician and dad loved nothing more than to help with equipment and attend shows. He attended as many shows as possible and would do anything in his power to help out. You could always pick Al out in the crowd because his smile beamed so brightly watching Ian. Heather has the artist in her. Dad encouraged her with her interior design skills and was very proud of her achievements. Heather was and always will be daddy's little girl. Heather got engaged to Jerry on Aug 2, 2015, and that is a very happy event. Sadly dad will not be there in person to walk her down the aisle, but he will be there in heart and spirit.

      As a born inventor, Al was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Al was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. Al was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. Line supervisor. He was employed for 31 years by Powerstream, formerly Vaughan Hydro. Al always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Al's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Al was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Al simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favourite pursuits were wood working, building stereo equipment such as speakers, and equipment for Ian's band such as a Leslie.

      Al's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. Al loved to ski, and did so with his many ski friends 3 or 4 times a week in the winter. In the summer Al loved to bike and was up to 40 k a trip 4 or 5 times a week. Al was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Watching Olympic games, winter or summer was always an event in our home for the durations of the games. His favourites were skiing and diving.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Al. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Al to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Al loved to travel and our trips to Europe our most memorable. Together we have been to France, Italy, Greece, Turkey,Hungary, Austria, China and an Alaskan Cruise. We had been planning for many more.

      Even while in retirement, Al never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In retirement, he found more time to ski, woodwork, ride his bike and do many upgrades to our home. Even in retirement, Al continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

      Al passed away on August 2, 2015 at in his family home quietly one evening. Al was survived by his loving wife Linda, his children Kenneth, Ian and Heather; his brother Jim and his sister Joan. Services were held at the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church. Al was laid to rest in the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

      During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Al. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Al was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Al, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Mr. Matthew Alan Docherty, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.

Sung by his son Ian at his funeral

"MARRY SONG"

By Band of Horses

I'll marry my lover in a place to admire

I don't have to even ask her I can look in her eyes

And thank God that I am forgiven

I thank all my friends

To say I've been truer or they forgotten

Marry my mind is to say the least

It's been awful hard to just stand on my feet

I think I'll slow down if I am able

I won't drown in the ocean

For starving my place at the table

Lucky ones are we all 'til it is over

Everyone near and far

When you smile the sun it peaks through the clouds

Never die for always be around and around and around

How is your sister and what of your brother

Extend hellos to your father and mother

What in the world would cause you any sorrow

Lighten your load

And see how I killed the wheelbarrow I borrowed

Lucky ones are we all 'til it is over

Everyone near and far

When you smile the sun it peaks through the clouds

Never die for always be around and around and around

* * * * * * * * * *

Passed away at his home on Sunday August 2, 2015, in his 60th year. Beloved husband of Linda for 34 years. Loving father of Kenneth, Ian, Heather and her fiancé Jerry. Dear brother of Jim (Lyse), Joan and their families. A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday August 8, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church (10066 Yonge St. at Major McKenzie). In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements in the care of the Thompson Funeral Home Aurora. On line condolences may be made at www.thompsonfh-aurora.com.