James J. Dougherty, Sr.

James J. Dougherty, Sr., age 91, formerly of Levittown, PA, died on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at his daughter's home in Yardley. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Jim was raised in the Port Richmond section of the city. He was an original Levittown homeowner and was an active member of the community until retiring in the mid 1980s. He graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1936 and attended Dolan College of Embalming, He has been a licensed funeral director since 1946 beginning with an apprenticeship with H.B. Mulligan Funeral Home. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1955 Jim established a funeral home in St. Anne's parish in Philadelphia for a period of six years and later became a partner of W.E. Beck for 15 years at the Beck-Dougherty Funeral Home in Levittown. He then opened his own funeral home at its present location at 2200 Trenton Road. Being civic minded and after 30 years of service to the community he became president of the Queen of the Universe Men's Club, president of the Holy Name Society, and president of the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rotary Club. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Joseph the Worker Council #4215 and the St. John Neumann Assembly where he was awarded Knight of the Year and the following year, Sir Knight of the Year. He was also a member of Al-Fath Caravan #126. He joined the Chamber of Commerce, was 2nd vice president of the Board of the Free Library of Levittown, Board of Directors of Easter Seals (awarded Brace for an Ace), and was president of St. Vincent de Paul Society of Queen of the Universe parish. Jim loved living in Florida during his retirement, and he continued a vital life of service to the community. He worked in the Day Star program in St. Pete Beach and ushered at his church, St. John Vianney. He enjoyed playing bridge, fishing from his pier, entertaining friends and family, and walking along the beach. At home in Yardley, he enjoyed playing Skip-Bo and watching movies, game shows and westerns, especially Maverick, with his granddaughters. He also loved reading and playing bridge on his computer. James J. Dougherty was the devoted husband of 36 years of the late Mary M. McCann Dougherty, and of the late Mary Seeber Mellus Dougherty. He was the beloved father of James J. Dougherty, Jr. and his wife Sherry of Dalton, PA and Miriam A. Dougherty of Yardley, PA. He is much loved by his grandchildren: Colleen, James, III, Keirnan, Liam, Mimi, Loretta, Maggie, and Jamie; two great grandchildren: Nicole and Tyler; and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Margaret Mihalek, Anna Rita Fordyce, and Edward Dougherty. He is also survived by his stepchildren Ken Mellus and his wife Bonnie, Cathy Whelan and her husband Mike, Bill Mellus and his wife Linda, Bunny Ritchie and her husband Ed and Pam Wilson; 16 stepgrandchildren and 19 step great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Rd., Levittown. HIs Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. at Queen of the Universe Church followed by Rite of Committal in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Queen of the Universe Church, 2443 Trenton Rd., Levittown, PA 19056.