Leo J. Doherty Jr. 89, of Weymouth, died March 18 at Wingate Convalescent Home of natural causes. He was the beloved husband of 61 years to Mary (Duggan) Doherty.
He was born in Boston, in 1931, first son of Leo Doherty Sr. and Celia (Dolan) Doherty
A graduate from English High School glass of 1949. He joined the Navy in 1950 at the age of 19 serving in the Korean and Vietnam wars aboard the USS Block Island, USS Ranger and the USS Kearsarge and was an Instructor of Navel History for the Harvard University N.R.O.T.C. Unit. For his services he received the ambassador for peace medal, Vietnam medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon. He retired in 1969 with the rank of Chief Petty officer from U.S. Navel Schools Command Center Newport R.I. where he was an instructor.
He then settled in Weymouth, where he work for the New England Telephone Company (Verizon) as a Transmission Technician, covering the Boston Marathon, Esplanade 4th of July Celebrations, 1979 Papal visit, 1986 World Series, 1992 Sail Boston and numerus other major events for the New England area achieving the Special Services Award of Excellence in 1990.
After retiring in 1997 he became an active member of two organizations the Top Three Military Retired Association, where he participating in community service for active and retired military personnel and the Fleet Reserve Association serving as president for branch 66 for seven years. He was an avid Naval history buff reading many books on the subject he loved the history channel and old movies his favorite was Gunga Din.
In addition to his wife Mary, he is survived by his daughters, Susan Frawley, Nancy Doherty, the late Gwen Fitzgerald, granddaughters, Shauna Lynne Fitzgerald, Kaitlyn Kerrigan, Hannah Kerrigan Brother of the late Paul Richard Doherty and Kate Corzer.
The family has requested a private viewing, full services will be announced at a later date.