Obituary for John Holmes ""Holmsie"" Doherty
Surrounded by his loved ones, John “Holmsie” Doherty passed away peacefully at age 86 on June 29, 2020.
Born in Wilmington DE, to the late Gerald and Myrtle Doherty, he grew up in Rockford and the Forty Acres area where he attended Ursuline Academy, Archmere Academy, and later Villanova University. From there, Holmsie went on to work for over 30 years as the Director of the Port of Wilmington. Upon retirement from the city he worked at Vandemark & Lynch for some years before retiring for good. In addition to his work at the Port, Holmsie was a past State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Bishop Curtis Council. He was a head football coach at St Ann School, and a pivotal founding member to the Right to Life movement in Wilmington.
Holmsie’s passions included spending time with his family wherever that was, at home, on vacation, or at his grandchildren’s sporting events. He also loved spending time outdoors, from hunting and fishing in Delaware and Pennsylvania, to occasionally taking trips to Canada. He enjoyed his yearly vacation to Cape May, NJ with his immediate and extended family.
He is predeceased by his brothers, Gerald and Phillip, as well as his sisters, Myrtle (Sis) and Helen.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Joan; his daughter, Linda (Brian), his four sons, Steven, Rick, John Jr. (Sandra) and Thomas (Renee). He is also survived by his brother, Bill; and sisters, Katherine and Nancy. Holmsie enjoyed his time with his grandkids, Ryan, Adam, Madeline, Amanda, Katherine, Luke, Nathan, Joshua, Teale, Noah, Jonah, and several great-grandchildren.
Holmsie had a deep faith in God and was a proud member of both St. Ann Church and St. John the Beloved parish for many years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St Ann Church, 2013 Gilpin Ave Wilmington, DE 19806, on Monday, July 6 at 12:30pm. Friends may call at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy Wilmington, DE 19805, from 10am-12pm. Interment will be at the Gracelawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and the Delaware Right to Life Inc.
Born in Wilmington DE, to the late Gerald and Myrtle Doherty, he grew up in Rockford and the Forty Acres area where he attended Ursuline Academy, Archmere Academy, and later Villanova University. From there, Holmsie went on to work for over 30 years as the Director of the Port of Wilmington. Upon retirement from the city he worked at Vandemark & Lynch for some years before retiring for good. In addition to his work at the Port, Holmsie was a past State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Bishop Curtis Council. He was a head football coach at St Ann School, and a pivotal founding member to the Right to Life movement in Wilmington.
Holmsie’s passions included spending time with his family wherever that was, at home, on vacation, or at his grandchildren’s sporting events. He also loved spending time outdoors, from hunting and fishing in Delaware and Pennsylvania, to occasionally taking trips to Canada. He enjoyed his yearly vacation to Cape May, NJ with his immediate and extended family.
He is predeceased by his brothers, Gerald and Phillip, as well as his sisters, Myrtle (Sis) and Helen.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Joan; his daughter, Linda (Brian), his four sons, Steven, Rick, John Jr. (Sandra) and Thomas (Renee). He is also survived by his brother, Bill; and sisters, Katherine and Nancy. Holmsie enjoyed his time with his grandkids, Ryan, Adam, Madeline, Amanda, Katherine, Luke, Nathan, Joshua, Teale, Noah, Jonah, and several great-grandchildren.
Holmsie had a deep faith in God and was a proud member of both St. Ann Church and St. John the Beloved parish for many years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St Ann Church, 2013 Gilpin Ave Wilmington, DE 19806, on Monday, July 6 at 12:30pm. Friends may call at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy Wilmington, DE 19805, from 10am-12pm. Interment will be at the Gracelawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and the Delaware Right to Life Inc.