Mr. Joseph E. Dougherty, age 68, of Meshoppen, PA., passed away at the Regional Hospital of Scranton, on Thursday evening Jan. 12,2012.
He was born in Wilkes Barre, PA. on Aug. 23,1944 the son of the late Edward J. and Catherine Burke Dougherty. Joe grew up on the family farm on Shannon Hill in Auburn Center, PA. He graduated from the Elk Lake High School, class of 1962. After high school, he served his country for four years, in the US Army, where he was stationed in Germany. After his discharge from the service, he would later work for Auburn Township. During that time he also helped his cousins, Jerry and Gail Burke and family at Shamrock Auctions. It was there that he became interested in the auctioneering business and Joe became a licensed auctioneer, and worked with his cousins for many years, and retired just recently. It was at the auctions, that he made many friends, and he made a great impression on everyone he met.
Joe was a devote member of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, in Meshoppen, PA. and he was a very active member of the St. Joachim – St. Bonaventure Cemetery Assoc. He was also a member of the Rought Hall Post # 510 American Legion, in Black Walnut, PA., and in his spare time he loved to collect many things, with his antique tractors, and tools, most dear to his heart.
Besides his parents Joe was preceded in death by a sister, Kathleen Ann Dougherty. He is survived by an aunt, Mrs. Regina Burke Graham, of Endicott, NY, and an uncle, Edward T. Burke, of Johnson City, NY. He is also survived by his cousins, Jerry and Gail Burke; William and Clara Burke; Patricia Beirne; Margaret Graham Hellenga; Marty McGavin; and Tim and Tracie McGavin, as well as many great cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Jan. 16,2012 at 10:00 AM from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, PA. with a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, in Meshoppen, PA. at 11:00 AM, with Fr. Joseph Manarchuck of the church officiating. Interment will be in the St. Bonaventure's Cemetery in Auburn, PA. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2012, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. A Rosary will be recited at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM.
Military services will be held at the Rought Hall Post # 510 American Legion Social Hall, on Monday afternoon, at the funeral luncheon immediately following the interment at 1:00 PM, conducted by the members of the Rought Hall Post #510 American Legion, the Dennis Strong Post # 457 American Legion and the Endless Mountains Post # 3583 V.F.W.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the St. Joachim's – St Bonaventure's Cemetery Assoc, C/O Mr. Roger Furman 2431 SR 3004, Montrose, PA. 18801.