Paul Dougherty

Mr. Paul A. Dougherty, the sixth of Joseph and Winifred Dougherty's nine children entered this world on August 31st, 1928 and returned to his Heavenly Father on December 31st, 2014 reuniting him with his parents and siblings, Elizabeth, Margaret, Rose Marie, Winifred, Joseph, Thomas and John.



Mr. Dougherty attended Transfiguration Elementary School, West Chester High School, Fort Washington Preparatory School and Temple University. An avid athlete throughout his life, he received various basketball and football scholarship and also competed in crew, swimming, wrestling and boxing. He even took up squash to play with his daughter but, his true passion was tennis, which he played until his knees gave out at 82. Paul cherished his time on the court with his tennis partners and groups in Swarthmore, Florida, Stone Harbor and Texas.



Mr. Dougherty proudly served his country as a Corporal during the Korean Conflict in the 82nd Airborne division of the Army.



On November 11th, 1950 Paul wed the love of his life, Mary Curran. Together they raised five children, enjoyed a large circle of friends, traveled, shared a love of reading, but their greatest joy was their grandchildren. They adored each one rarely missing an opportunity to celebrate them in their activities, always present for school programs including Grandparents Day, sporting events, piano recitals, plays or birthday parties. Pop-Pop, as his grandchildren called him, taught many to swim, ride a bike, shoot hoops, catch a wave, throw a football, swing a bat or pitch a horse shoe. His favorite times were spent on the beach surrounded by family and friends winning at horse shoes, riding waves and ending the day with a walk along the surf.



Mr. Dougherty began his career at the dawn of the computer age, first with the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he also served as Union Boss until he accepted a position with General Electric. At General Electric he held positions in several states including Systems Analyst, Director of Computer Operations and Director of Systems Development before leaving to start his own consulting firm. He developed systems that are still used today at Bryn Mawr Trust Bank. For years he taught computer science at community colleges. He served as IT Systems Development for First Pennsylvania Bank, developing a "push button banking" system, which now many institutions commonly call the Mac card.



Mr. Dougherty organized fundraisers for St. Francis Inn and West Catholic High School. He was active in youth sports, coaching many swim, basketball, football and baseball teams and served as president of the athletic association. He was a third degree knight for the Knights of Columbus.



He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 64 years, Mary; his brother, Donald; his sons, Paul, Kevin, Thomas (Deborah), Christopher (Claire); his daughter, Karen (Justin); Sister-in-Law, Kathleen; 11 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.



The family will receive visitors Monday, January 5th between 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 610-353-6300 and Tuesday from 9:00-10:20 AM at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 N. Providence Rd. Media, PA, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM.



Interment is private.



In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Mary Magdalen Parish, 2400 North Providence Road, Media, PA 19063, The Alzheimer's Association, 399 Market Street #102, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or The St. Francis Inn, 2441 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125.

Visitation

Tuesday, January 6, 2015 9:00 AM - 10:20 AM
St. Mary Magdalen Church
2400 N. Providence Road Media 19063, United States