Obituary of Philip J. Doherty

Philip J. Doherty, 75, of Merritt Island, FL, formerly of Granby and Old Lyme, CT, beloved husband of Elizabeth (Hoar) Doherty, died Sunday September 20, 2015. Born Feb. 4, 1940 in Pittsburgh, PA, son of the late Joseph P. and Lillian (Riley) Doherty. Phil served in the US Navy based in Norfolk, Virginia from 1958-1962 as a radio mechanic. He told many stories of the thrill of working on aircraft carriers with his Navy teammates. Phil earned his Bachelor’s degree before starting his long career in Information Technology. As a young man and further into his adult life he enjoyed many opportunities as a choir member in various churches. He worked at Travelers, Aetna and lastly retiring from Mass Mutual. Never one to relax, Phil spent his retirement years working in roles that allowed him to help others including Real Estate, Construction Management and, as special passion, FEMA. He was a Journeyman Carpenter, a member of the Simsbury Light Opera, a member of Mensa, he loved boating and his boating buddies in Florida and Connecticut, and was an avid Steelers fan. Most importantly he enjoyed his large family and wide circle of friends. Besides his wife, Elizabeth, he is survived by six children; Michael J. Doherty of Atlanta, GA, Michael P. Spear of Rochester, NH, Martha A. Williams and her husband Thomas A. of Glastonbury, Mary Frances Girard of Glastonbury, Joseph P. Doherty and his wife Nadine of Goshen, and Ryan P. Doherty of Merritt Island, FL. He also leaves a sister Patricia Hinnebusch and her husband Michael of Eagle, Idaho and eight grandchildren; Sara Doherty, Kaitlyn Spear, Lillian Doherty, Jack Williams, Riley Girard, Joseph Doherty, Colin Williams, Katie Girard and many nieces and nephews. The family would also like to thank and recognize Elaine and John Masley of Granby and the Hospice Teams of Masonic and McLeans. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday Sept. 25 at 10am at St. Paul Church, 2577 Main St., Glastonbury. Burial with military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Glastonbury. Friends may call at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury on Thursday Sept. 24 from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com