Francis J. “Buddy” Doherty
Tewksbury resident
TEWKSBURY: Francis J. “Buddy” Doherty, age 82, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
He was the beloved husband of Barbara L. (Daly) Doherty, with whom he celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on
November 14, 2020.
Born in Somerville on December 8, 1938, he was the son of the late William G. Doherty and the late Catherine A. (Wall)
Doherty.
Buddy attended Tewksbury schools, and was a member of the Tewksbury High School Class of 1957.
During his high school years, he was a member of the 1956 undefeated Tewksbury Redmen Football Team, which was
later inducted in to the Tewksbury Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Buddy served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era. He was awarded several decorations for his active-duty service
including the Good Conduct Medal as well as the Parachutist’s Badge.
Buddy worked as a Manager in the Linen Supply Industry, and as a Property Manager for the Westford Arms Property
Management Company until retiring in 1997.
In earlier years, he served as a coach for Tewksbury Youth Hockey as well as with the Tewksbury Little League Baseball
program. In addition, he was a founding member of the Tewksbury T-Shirt Youth Baseball League.
Buddy enjoyed spending the winter months at Deer Creek in Davenport, FL, where he spent much of his time golfing. At
home he was a member at Long Meadow Golf Club with his brother Ed.
His greatest enjoyment was attending his grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. They fondly called him Bunky
and he was their greatest fan.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Kathleen Hodgson and her husband Brian of Lowell, William
Doherty and his wife Roxanne of Newburyport, Lisa Butler and her husband Lee of Lowell, and Michael Doherty and his
wife Shannon of Tewksbury; twelve grandchildren, Kyle and Melanie Hodgson, Ian and his wife Amanda, Meghan, Haley,
Liam, Piper, and Maddox Doherty, Kevin and Madison Butler, Hanna and Sadie Doherty; one great granddaughter, Kara
Hodgson; siblings, Claire Doherty Penney of Tewksbury, Lorraine J. Lefebvre and her husband Richard of Lady Lake, FL,
and Ed Doherty and his wife Kathryn of Lowell; his sisters-in-law, Marilyn Doherty of Lowell and Donna Doherty of
Tewksbury.
Buddy was the brother of the late James M. Doherty and William T. “Hymie” Doherty, and brother-in-law of the late Jack
Penney, Barry Sprague, William Daly and Brian Daly.
Calling hours are Sunday, April 25, from 1-4 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral
procession will begin on Monday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m.
at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Masks, social distancing and gathering limitations are necessary at all venues. In lieu of flowers, donations honoring his memory may be made to
Boston Children’s Hospital, 401 Park Drive, #602, Boston, MA 02215.