Obituary for James Stephen "Steve" Doherty
“My bags are packed” was a favourite saying of Steve’s when asked about death or dying and on September 24th, 2019, peacefully in his sleep, He packed his bags and went home.
James Stephen Doherty was born in Lurga, Co. Mayo Ireland on Dec. 26th, 1929. He was the youngest of a large, loving Irish family. He led a blessed life in rural Ireland and Dublin when as a young man with immense courage and a healthy sense of adventure, left Ireland for Canada. In Montreal he met his partner and love of his life, Bridget Neligan. Together they began a new adventure. They were married and had three daughters before moving to Calgary and then to Burlington. He was a kind, most patient, loving father and devoted husband. They say you can take the boy out of the bog but not the bog out of the boy and Steve’s life in Canada reflected that. The family years were marked with camping holidays, Sunday drives after church, evening dinners at the table, backyard bunnies, ducks and chickens, endless weekend projects, vegetable patches, entertaining family and friends, welcoming overseas visitors, parties, a fair amount of story-telling and many games of bridge and golf. Steve had a successful career at Standard Life and was well respected by his peers, but his passion was his family, his friends and his faith. Throughout his life Steve’s faith and trust in God guided him, and his infectious and insatiable curiosity shaped his life and those around him. In retirement, he was able to pursue his many and varied interests. He was an active member is the St Patrick’s church community, an avid volunteer and was always helping the less fortunate. He built a workshop and created beautiful pieces in both stained glass and wood, now cherished in homes far and wide. He and Bridget traveled the world visiting family and friends, coming home eager to share stories of their adventures. One of Steve’s greatest joys was being ‘Poppy’ to his eight grandchildren - a doting, proud, funny and exceptionally loving grandpa. He lives on in each one of them. It is an understatement that he will be missed.
Steve leaves behind his wife Bridget (nee Neligan), daughters Colleen (Brent Zurowski), Catherine (Bryan Pearce), Patricia (Steve Murray) and his grandchildren Caitlin, Madeleine, Luke, Eleanor, Erin, Tara, Sheila and Aidan. A good man will be greatly missed by his family and friends from near and far.
Steve (Dad, Poppy) - your decency, honesty, selflessness, concern for others, the poor and the environment were unparalleled. You will be deeply missed and remembered with enormous love. You have earned your eternal rest. Dé go raibh a anam
Visitation will be held at Smith’s Funeral Home, 1167 Guelph Line, Burlington 905-632-3333, on Sunday, September 29, 2019 from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Vigil prayers at 8:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 196 Kenwood Ave., Burlington on Monday, September 30, 2019 at 11 am. Reception to follow. Private family inurnment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Steve are asked to please consider St. Vincent de Paul or The Carpenter Hospice. Special thanks goes out to the staff at 7S Joseph Brant, Birchtree Family Medicine and the support of LHIN.
James Stephen Doherty was born in Lurga, Co. Mayo Ireland on Dec. 26th, 1929. He was the youngest of a large, loving Irish family. He led a blessed life in rural Ireland and Dublin when as a young man with immense courage and a healthy sense of adventure, left Ireland for Canada. In Montreal he met his partner and love of his life, Bridget Neligan. Together they began a new adventure. They were married and had three daughters before moving to Calgary and then to Burlington. He was a kind, most patient, loving father and devoted husband. They say you can take the boy out of the bog but not the bog out of the boy and Steve’s life in Canada reflected that. The family years were marked with camping holidays, Sunday drives after church, evening dinners at the table, backyard bunnies, ducks and chickens, endless weekend projects, vegetable patches, entertaining family and friends, welcoming overseas visitors, parties, a fair amount of story-telling and many games of bridge and golf. Steve had a successful career at Standard Life and was well respected by his peers, but his passion was his family, his friends and his faith. Throughout his life Steve’s faith and trust in God guided him, and his infectious and insatiable curiosity shaped his life and those around him. In retirement, he was able to pursue his many and varied interests. He was an active member is the St Patrick’s church community, an avid volunteer and was always helping the less fortunate. He built a workshop and created beautiful pieces in both stained glass and wood, now cherished in homes far and wide. He and Bridget traveled the world visiting family and friends, coming home eager to share stories of their adventures. One of Steve’s greatest joys was being ‘Poppy’ to his eight grandchildren - a doting, proud, funny and exceptionally loving grandpa. He lives on in each one of them. It is an understatement that he will be missed.
Steve leaves behind his wife Bridget (nee Neligan), daughters Colleen (Brent Zurowski), Catherine (Bryan Pearce), Patricia (Steve Murray) and his grandchildren Caitlin, Madeleine, Luke, Eleanor, Erin, Tara, Sheila and Aidan. A good man will be greatly missed by his family and friends from near and far.
Steve (Dad, Poppy) - your decency, honesty, selflessness, concern for others, the poor and the environment were unparalleled. You will be deeply missed and remembered with enormous love. You have earned your eternal rest. Dé go raibh a anam
Visitation will be held at Smith’s Funeral Home, 1167 Guelph Line, Burlington 905-632-3333, on Sunday, September 29, 2019 from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Vigil prayers at 8:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 196 Kenwood Ave., Burlington on Monday, September 30, 2019 at 11 am. Reception to follow. Private family inurnment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Steve are asked to please consider St. Vincent de Paul or The Carpenter Hospice. Special thanks goes out to the staff at 7S Joseph Brant, Birchtree Family Medicine and the support of LHIN.