John P. Doherty, age 50, of Lowell. Beloved son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, friend, musician extraordinaire and avid James Bond fan, passed away surrounded by family on Thursday September 21st. He succumbed to complications from heart failure while waiting for a heart transplant.
John was born in Everett, MA, in April of 1967. He was the son of Christel Doherty of Stoneham and the late John P. Doherty of Stoneham.
He graduated from Stoneham High School. Having had heart surgery at the age of 18, he learned early on the value of living life in the moment.
Not content with typical career patterns, he spent time in NYC playing piano with a variety of bands in clubs. Music was John’s lifeblood and he had the amazing talent of being able to play it by ear. His home was always filled with the sound of a piano playing and his voice singing.
A traditional workplace was never John's passion and he was a person who simply refused to live life on other people’s terms. When he settled into his final career as a self-taught engineer, he worked for various companies including Apple Computer, JuniorNet, Kodak, Mirror Image, and finally Kayak Software. He and his wife also owned a business creating DVD memorials for funeral homes and it brought him great joy to bring comfort to families in their time of need.
He spent many Christmas Eve’s at Children’s Hospital in Boston playing music at the inpatient heart unit and reassuring families that their children could end up grown and with families, just like him. Through his life, he kept his love of music alive by writing songs and making up jingles that seem to be permanently fixed in the heads of those who love him.
Many have said how much John influenced their lives. We know that his example inspired others into forging their own path in life. All who knew him found him encouraging, as just being around John left one with the feeling that anything was possible. He inspired them to try.
In accordance with John's wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes scattered in several places that he loved including Hart Haven beach in Martha’s Vineyard, the bayside beaches of Brewster, MA, Sanibel Island in Florida, the shores of Ipswich and in the Shawangunk Mountains of NY. He has also asked that his wife scatter his ashes on a European trip they had planned for after his heart transplant so he can be there in spirit.
When a person follows his dreams and refuses to let obstacles stand in his path, the world is far better for his having lived. We are all better for having known John.
In addition to his mother, John will be forever remembered by his wife Shelley and their children Josh, Sean and Leyna of Lowell and also children Joel of Norway, ME and Heather (Michael) Carlton of South Paris, ME, who he shared with his former spouse Dawne Trouant. He is survived by sister Kathy (Daniel) Racki, Charlotte Doherty, Neal (Hillary) Doherty, as well as his two beautiful grandchildren Aden and Noah Carlton along with a multitude of nieces, nephews and friends.
Many thanks to the doctors and staff at Brigham & Women’s Hospital as well as Dr. Franklin Marinelli who treated him as both patient and friend, and Dr. Laurence Sloss who for over 30 years treated him like a son.
A private celebration of his life is planned. Donations in his memory can be made to the New England Organ Bank at http://neob.org. Most importantly, please consider becoming an organ donor as it truly is the gift of life.