Lawrence J. Doherty

Lawrence J. Doherty, 91, of Rockford died on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at Presence St. Anne Center in Rockford, IL.
Born in Rockford, IL on May 25, 1924, to Leon and Anna (nee Von Der Vellen) Doherty, Larry graduated from Rockford’s West High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS ABSD-1 in the South Pacific during WWII. He married June Anderson of Escanaba, MI, on September 17, 1949, at St. James Church in Rockford, IL. A member of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Muldoon Council #470, he served as Grand Knight at age 28. Larry was a member of the Rockford Serra Club.
After stints as a paperboy, telephone lineman, butcher, and railroad shipment expediter, Larry entered the insurance industry, working for Harold McCabe Adjustment Company in Rockford, IL. Eventually joining Continental Corporation/Underwriters Adjusting Company of Chicago in 1959, and moving to Cleveland and ultimately Chicago, Larry rose through the ranks to Midwestern Regional Vice President, retiring in 1989.
Following a 30 year residency in Crystal Lake, IL, Larry and June returned to Rockford after retirement in 1989. He taught CCD (Religious Ed) for 10 years at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Crystal Lake. In Rockford, Larry served as usher at Holy Family Catholic Church and volunteered for several years at Presence St. Anne.
Larry was a voracious reader (and listener) of biographies and world history, had eclectic taste in music and collected antique yardsticks. He had amazing recall, strong powers of observation and a non-stop imagination that he employed to great effect with his storytelling ability. An enthusiastic conversationalist who loved meeting new people, he could also get an interesting story out of just about anybody. Larry loved working with his hands. He built furniture, and lovingly maintained his Crystal Lake home, which was originally built in 1859. Many Saturday mornings Larry and his children visited Raue’s Hardware, Vincey’s Paint and Wallpaper Store and Rosenthal Lumber in Crystal Lake. His faith was strong and constant, and he took great comfort in praying the rosary. Larry appreciated and loved his family and friends. But above all, Larry loved June.
Survivors include: June, wife of 66 years. Children: Most Reverend Timothy Doherty, Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana; Margaret Doherty (Herman Ferrer) of Pembroke Pines, FL; Daniel (Lynn) of Crystal Lake, IL; Matthew (Karen) of Evanston, IL; Mary (Steven) DeLisi of Naples, FL; Kristen Doherty (Ken Moore) of Crystal Lake, IL; Jane (Lewis) French of Naperville, IL; fourteen grandchildren, Kate (Steve) Conaton, Colin and Connor Doherty, Elise (Dan) Pondel, Anna and Michael Doherty, Brie and Grace DeLisi, Mallory Johnson (Eric Hanson), Colette (Troy) Lehman, Alex Moore, Vic, Jack and Kristen French; two great-grandchildren, Olive and Keller Hanson; brothers Paul of Highland, IN, and Harry (Charlene) and Michael (Margaret Knoup) of Rockford, IL; sisters Marjorie Bengston, Marilyn Wolfe, Eleanor Johnson, and Kathleen (Jim) North of Rockford, IL, Betty (J.O.) Koplin of Estes Park, CO; and sister-in-law Lois Doherty of Rockford, IL, and a multitude nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents and his brother, Patrick, brothers-in-law Cliff Bengston, Bill Dutmer, Ron Wolfe and Jerry Johnson, and sisters-in-law Carol Doherty and Betty Doherty.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the tender care provided by Presence St. Anne Center and OSF Hospice.
Funeral Mass Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd. with Bishop Timothy L. Doherty of Lafayette, Indiana. Interment will be held in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago, IL. Visitation Saturday at Holy Family from 8:30 until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers memorials to: St. Elizabeth Community Center, 1536 S. Main St. Rockford, IL 61102. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Please express online condolences at: www.fitzgeraldfh.com