Francis Dougherty Obituary

Francis Dougherty ISLE OF PALMS - Francis Joseph Dougherty, 89, of Isle of Palms, South Carolina entered into eternal rest early Tuesday, November 5th at Roper Hospital. Mr. Dougherty, better known to his loved ones as "Ralphie" or "Big Frank," was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Francis and Kathryn Dougherty. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years Rose M. Dougherty and his sisters Eileen Deal, Edna Morowski, Betty Mayo, Jane Wilmer, and Ruth Janecki. He served his country for 27 years, 4 with the U.S. Army during WWII and the remainder with the U.S. Navy where he was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. During his service, Mr. Dougherty was awarded National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal with 4 bronze stars. Following his military service, Mr. Dougherty was employed by the Charleston Naval Shipyard as an electrician in Shop 51 for 19 years. The greatest joy of Mr. Dougherty's life was his daily walks on the beach with his son Frank. Always a jokester, he never lost his sense of humor or his sweet tooth, especially his love of peanut brittle and Hershey Kisses. He was also a member of Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church on Sullivan's Island. He will be deeply missed by his four children, Denise Bethea and her husband John, Diane Nelson and her husband Andrew, Francis "Paco" Dougherty, and Lawrence "L.D." Dougherty. He is also survived by his granddaughters Kathryn "Katie" Bethea and Carolyn "Carrie" Bethea as well as his younger brother Lawrence Dougherty of Lansdale, Pennsylvania and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 9th at 11 a.m. at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church on Sullivan's Island. Visitation will be Friday, November 8th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 1520 RIFLE RANGE RD, MT PLEASANT. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 6 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, P.O. Box 280, Sullivan's Island, SC. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online via www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 1520 RIFLE RANGE RD, MT. PLEASANT, SC (843) 884-3833. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston