JOHN J. DOHERTY--IN MEMORIAMThis blog post is in memory of John J. Doherty, a husband and father who was a victim of the World Trade Centre attacks on September 11, 2001.
With the help of some friends, I was able to find some information about John so that I could pay proper tribute to him on this day. John lived in Hartsdale, New York, he was on the 92nd floor of tower two of the World Trade Center at the time of the attacks and he was the Vice President of Aon, Corp. John was in only his second week at the firm's World Trade Center offices after being transferred from a Greenwich, Conn., branch.
John was married to a woman named Mary Birde Doherty and he was the loving father of two daughters, Barbara and Maureen. Apparently, John was an avid golfer and from what I've read, it appears that he had a very close relationship with his family.
Coincidentally, John is an alum of the same school as me. I couldn't believe it! We both went to Boston College and I was really touched by something one of his friends wrote about him:
JOHN J. DOHERTY ’66
I read with sadness the article in BCM concerning those who died at the World Trade Center attack on September 11. A particularly painful notice was that of John Doherty ’66. I had not seen nor spoken to John in many years but we had worked together for awhile in 1973 when I went to work as a marketing trainee for Commercial Union (CU) in lower Manhattan. Our office was on John Street, not very far from the just completed WTC. I arrived in New York, from Boston, not really knowing anyone.
John was a commercial underwriter for CU at that time. He heard that a Boston boy had started up with CU so he sought me out to say hello. John was from Medford, I was from West Roxbury. Quickly we discovered we had BC as a common background, as well as our Boston roots. Just as quickly we became friends, and we would join others at the office and, a few nights each week, take part in the nightlife Manhattan offered. Many time we would go out and paint the town red (sometimes two coats of red!) but we were young, single, and were in a great place. John was quiet but had a great sense of humor. He was very smart and very kind. He was just fun to be around. My deepest condolences to his wife and two daughters. I was glad to see he was married and had a family. My best wishes to them and I am very sorry for their loss.
by Ray Beattie '71
Anyway, it's really hard to know what to say when you don't personally know the person that passed away. In just looking at John's face I get this very real feeling that he was a great person. Really. Those of you that know about my background are aware that I lost my mom so what I've mostly been thinking about is his two daughters and how much they must miss their dad. I just really hope and pray that John's family is okay and that when they think of him, they have many great memories stored up to look back on. It took me a very long time to think of happy memories on the day of my mom's death and I'm just hoping that if John's family's not at that place yet, they will be someday.
Best wishes and of course, my sympathies, to John's family on this day. John, if you're up there reading this, a big hello to you from NYC!!! :)
I really hope that you know that your family and many loved ones still think of you. I also want you to know that I will think of you every single year for the rest of my life on 9/11 and I give you my promise that I will do my part in keeping your memory alive.
Mary Elizabeth Frye in 1932.
Do Not Stand at My Grave and WeepDo not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
