New Britain herald., 1929-01-28
Rev. John A. Doherty, Formerly
OF This City, Stricken Suddenly
Dies of Heart Disease at
! Parish House in Oak
vile - Had q Brilliant
War Record.


St. Mary Magdalene's church In
Oakvile and a former resident OF
this city. died following heart at
tack at the parsonage of the church
yesterday morning. He was ~
years old.
Father Doherty had been suffer-
ing from an attack OF the grippe
for the past two wekes but his coll
dition was not considered serious.
He had celebrated the 7:15 and s:15
O'Clock Sunday masses in the church
Of which he was pastor for the past
two years and had returned to the
parochial residence to rest before
celebrating the children's mass at
9:l5 o'clock.
Found Dead In Chair
He sat for an hour talking with
Rev. Joseph Deschesnes OF Lasal-
lette college at Parkville. who mad
been assisting him and when Father
Deschesnes left to go to the church
to attend to some duty. Fatner
Doherty was in his usual health.
When other members Of the house
hold entered the room shortly after
ward they found him dead in his
chair.
DIR. Edward G. Reade of Water
town, medical examiner, gave the
cause of death as acute heart
disease.
The remains will be taken to the
church in Oakville this evening
when the office OF the dead will be
chanted by priests Because OF the
fact that the church is small, two
reouiem masses will be celebrated
AZ the church at s o'clock tomor-
row morning for the children AMI
at 10 o'clock solemn high mass OF
requiem. ...
At . o'clock tomorrow afternoon
the remains will be brought to this
CITY and they will lie in state at st.
Narv's church until the time OF the
funeral Wednesday morning at 10
o'clock. At 5 o'clock tomorrow eve
ring priests will chant the office OF
the dead at the church.
Rt. Rev. John J. Milan, Bishop or
the diocese of Hartford. will ceie-
brate pontiiical mass of requiem
Wednesday. 1t is expected that
priests from every part Of the state
will be present to assist. Burial VIII
he in the Doherty family plot at
st. Mary's cemetery
News Reaches Sister at Church
Miss Lucy A. Doherty, teacher at
the Smalley school and sister of
Father Doherty. was in attendance
at the 1890 o'clock mass at 81.
Mary's church yesterday morning
when the news came that her
brother had died.
Rev. Walter A. McCrann learned
of the death during the mass and
left the altar. Going to the pew
where Miss Doherty was seated h"
called her into the vestry and told
her of her brothers death.
Father McCrann then came out on
the altar and asked the parishion-
ers to pray for the repose of Father
Doherty's soul.
Native Of Washington, Conn.
Father Doherty was a native OF
Washington, Conn. He was born on
September p, 1886. He came here
with his parents when he was a
child and lived here during his
youth.
He was educated in st. Mary s
school and then entered st. Thomas
seminary, Hartford, from which he
was graduated with academic hon
ors. During his career at the two
schools he stood very high in stud
les and was lauded several times
Tor his scholarly attainments.
Made Assistant Pastor
He completed his studies for the
priesthood at Budapest, Hungary
where the Royal Seminary is local
ed. He was ordained June rs, 1909
and upon his return to this coun-
try he was assigned as assistant
pastor of st. Roses church in Meri-
den.
From 1909 until January 1914 he
remained in Meriden and cndeared
himself to the peope OF the parish
and of the city by his enthusiasm
and by the generous, untiring spirit
with which he entered upon his
work.
Transferred to Waterbury
He was transferred to the 1mma-
culate Conception church in Water.
TO- he bod
tor of church in South Norwaili
after which he was stationed Il,
Putnam. After the war he was
pastor of st. Francs church II
Torrington.
Two years ago he was appointed
nas4aa Mnr.r do -