Eugene "Gene" Edward Dougherty Jr.

August 1, 1953 - April 15, 2026

Born on August 1, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois, Gene was the beloved first born son of Eugene and Margaret Dougherty. During Gene's final years, he embodied his motto of 'mind over matter', as his body was impacted throughout his 14-year Parkinson's disease journey. On April 15, 2026, Gene peacefully completed his life journey surrounded by those he loved most. He is now reunited in eternal peace his parents, his in-laws Joseph and Janis Filippone, and his siblings-in-law Barbara Vanderleest and Peter Hansen.

Gene spent his young adult life adventuring through career changes and nights at the disco, but his life wasn't truly whole until love struck him in the St. Mary's Medical Center board room. It was there that Gene and Cindy's paths first crossed and their love story began. On May 27, 1990 they formalized their love in marriage and dedicated themselves to each other as spiritual and life partners. Together, over their 35 years of marriage, they raised two wonderful children, Joseph and Margaret, and welcomed a son-in-law, Evan Lange, into their family. Last but definitely not least, his granddaughters, Eleanor and Molly, made the family whole and brought him immeasurable joy.

Gene, born and raised in Chicago, never strayed too far to accomplish his life goals. He attended St. James for grade school and then St. Viator High School. At his core, he took the St. Viator phrase 'Lion for Life' very seriously and quite literally. He took pride in being an active alumni for St. Viator, returning to teach social studies for a few years and also lead and coach the Boys Basketball Feeder program for over ten years, earning the recognition of Sportsman of the Year. He served on the Board of Trustees and spearheaded countless alumni gatherings at Barnaby’s, always cultivating a sense of community and camaraderie.

For college, he attended Northern Illinois University where he joined the Delta Upsilon (DU) fraternity and found his best friends for life. If you know Gene, you know the deep rooted passion and joy he found in his fraternity. While he cherished DU fraternity life in college, relishing in organizing the Homecoming Parade and getting recognized as the top DU chapter the year he was President, Gene understood the importance and value of fostering lifelong friendships. Perhaps the greatest testament of those friendships came more than 45 years after graduating from NIU when Barb Gallagher, a dear friend in the DU family, selflessly offered a kidney to Gene with no hesitation. This true miracle and noble gift not only extended Gene’s life, it granted him the most beautiful treasure of all: a relationship with his granddaughters.

Gene approached his career like he did all things -- looking for what gave him joy while serving others. From managing the restaurant Stone Cottage Pub, to working in the Cardiac Cath Lab at St. Francis, to graduating from Loyola University Law School in 1986, and working at the Attorney General’s Office, his days at MMI, and finishing his career as the VP of Sales at AJ Gallagher. Gene always knew life was more than a paycheck and always prioritized being an active member of his community.

More than almost anything else in life, Gene loved coaching. Whether it be 5th grade girls park district softball or 8th grade boys St. Viator Feeder basketball, he approached coaching with relentless, enthusiastic positivity…he also found that offering frozen pizzas was an effective way to motivate his players.

Gene was an incredibly spiritual and faith-driven person: from late night discussions with his best friend on the Course in Miracles, to living his faith by serving others at the Drake House, or simply by always seeing the good in people.

He readily shared his viewpoints and thoughts, not from a place of arrogance or knowing better than others, but from a place of genuine and wholesome appreciation for all God has given and all God is. Gene's ability to convey his thought through written word was unparalleled, so we share some of his own words: "We all have the power to save the world. Not in the false sense of power, but in the power that comes from knowing who you really are in relationship with God and with everyone else that comes into your life."

Gene is survived by his cherished wife, Cindy; his children, Joseph and Margaret (Evan) Lange; his adored granddaughters, Eleanor and Molly; his siblings, Joanne (John) Fox, Kathy Hopkins, Mary Darmofal, James (Deborah) Dougherty, and Timothy (Rebecca) Dougherty; his sisters-in-law, Nancy Hansen, Jennie Filippone, Mary (Bill) Henderson; brothers-in-law, Bernard Vanderleest, David (Tricia) Filippone; and numerous nieces, nephews, his beloved DU family, and the extended St. Viator community.

In honoring Gene’s legacy, donations may be made to St. Viator High School or the Parkinson's Foundation. Contributions can be made online at Parkinson's Foundation Donations

Visitation: Thursday, April 23 2026, from 4-8pm at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home 2000 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights, IL. and Friday April 24, 2026 from 9am-10am at St James Catholic Church 831 N Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL

Funeral Service: Friday, April 24 2026 at 10am St. James Catholic Church 831 N Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL.

Inurnment will follow mass at All Saints Catholic Cemetery 700 N River Road Des Plaines,IL.