Joe is survived by his beautiful bride of 63 years, Shirley Dougherty (nee Porter), his children Debra Dougherty (Jim), Denise Canale (William), Joseph Dougherty (Brian) and his “adopted” daughter Gina Preston, his grandchildren Joey, Jimmy, Shannon, James, Kristopher, William (Mallory), Kelly (Nick) and his 6 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Margaret Dougherty, siblings Theresa, Charles, Marie, James.

Joe was born on September 13th, 1938 in Barrington, NJ which he remained in for most of his life. Joe is most well-known for his love of his family, the New York Yankees and Reba McEntire. In his earlier years, he coached the Barrington Girls Softball team, played for the Garden State Men’s Fast Pitch softball league until he was 63 years old and organized a yearly fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Association. He was frequently seen at all local WXTU events with bags of pretzels in hand which is how he was branded “Pretzel Joe”. But above all else, Joe placed his family on the highest of pedestals. Joe will be remembered as a passionate family man, wonderful friend and an example of kindness and generosity to all he met. He tackled every obstacle he faced with a positive attitude and a smile on his face, always grateful for the life and family he helped create.

There will be a viewing from 6:30pm to 8:30pm Wednesday evening and 9am to 10am Thursday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Mass 11am Saint Rose of Lima Church, 300 E. Kings Hwy., Haddon Heights, NJ 08035. Interment private at the request of the family. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joseph's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Rd., Browns Mills, NJ 08015.

Published by Gardner Funeral Home, Runnemede on Jul. 7, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph A. Dougherty, Jr.

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Bill Canale

July 12, 2019

" A word in your ear, from Father to Son, hear the words that I say"... (Brian May). Words to a song that tell you what life should be about, and like a good parent, you did this for your three children. Then I came along in your daughter's life. You accepted me like one of your own. You did this with all, Strangers. Strangers that then become friends. Friends. Friends that then become family. Family. Family that then become your world. Your strength, your smile, your greeting, your humor, your sarcasm, your presence. Always there, all the time. Then it happened, you became concerned and scared. I leaned into your ear and you heard the words I said. That was the ultimate moment for me. I am so proud to have been your "other son". So proud of you, to the end, so strong, so funny, so sarcastic, still smiling, knowing what was to come. A word in your ear, from Son to Father, missing you so much.....

Sean & Stefenie Gatherer

July 11, 2019

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family. Stefenie & I are glad to have met Pops. We havent known the family for that long but we felt like family. We will always remember his first Yankees game and the family allowing us to cherish that moment with them. Pops was a great man and he will he missed. Go YANKEES!!

Gina Preston

July 9, 2019

Joe was my best dad. He 'adopted' me after we spent a few times at WXTU radio station events. It was like being adopted as a young child; I don't remember the early years all that well. It just seems like he was always there, supporting me, loving me. The Dougherty family is amazing in its generosity. They could easily have said, "who the heck is that, and why should we welcome her into our family?" But they opened their hearts to me and became my family too. I am so blessed to have known Joe and been loved by him and his family.

Joe & Peggy Maxwell

July 9, 2019

Our deepest sympathy for the entire family. Joe was good man & will be sadly missed. RIP Pretzel Joe. Always a smile & kindness shared by you to everyone who crossed your path. God Bless You. Love & Prayers, Joe Max & Peggy Maxwell

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Debbie Dougherty

July 8, 2019

I loved my dad ,so very much . I will miss him so much . Every time I called him , he always said I Love You , baby m I always told him I loved him.I will miss when I visited him at his house he was always happy to see me n loved me coming to visit.He was very up beat n great , positive attitude even when he wasent feeling well n very sick.Everyone that met my dad loved him,he was a great guy . My dad was a great husband , he loved my mom so much n she genuinely loved him.They are a great inspiration to married couples , 63 yrs. happily married , and they knew each other since 8th grade , 13 yrs old . He used to kid around n say they met in the nursery when they were born.He was a great father , if I could have picked he would have been the one . My dad also a great grandfather n great -grandfather . Thank god for my mom , if it wasent for her , he would not have been with us as long as he was. My mom is definitely a Angel , Thankyou mom.I will miss you but you will always be in my heart, I will live my life according to how he would want me to live it , I want him to be proud of me as a grown
woman. Rest In Peace n Im so happy u are no longer suffering. I will miiss u so much Love u forever Dad ❤!You have made me the woman I am today.

Denise Canale

July 8, 2019

My dad, my hero. Dad thank you for all the wonderful years you have given me. You never judged my chooses I made, good or bad. I am so blessed with having you as my dad and teaching me the meaning of what family is. Family isnt how much you have or how much you done. Its unconditional love. Your heart was so big. Your personality was so amazing. Your smile was so heart felt. You always put us first. Most of all you thought me what love really meant. Your proof is the love you had for mommy and mommy had for you. Daddy, Im going to miss you so much. You ask me on your finial life to promised you we will take care of mommy, promise is granted. We promise not to let you down dad, just like you NEVER let us down. Until we meet again. Love your number two daughter Denise

Jackie Russell

July 8, 2019

Joe was a great man. He will truly be missed

Joe Dougherty III

July 7, 2019

Farewell and God Bless to the finest man I've had the extreme honor and priviledge to call " My Dad"
You've afforded me so much more than I could have ever imagined or hoped for as your son! You taught me the meaning of hard work and the importance of always being a man of your word! The importance of loving and supporting family through thick & thin.....You've been such an inspiration of strength, a mentor, a friend and my father but most of all you'll always be my "Hero" I will forever hold you and our memories in my heart and hope in my lifetime to achieve the respect, integrity and adoration that your family and friends have for you!! Forever grateful to carry on your namesake! I love you Dad!

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