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John Dougherty Obituary
Dougherty Jr.
John Francis Dougherty Jr., age 67, died at his home in Las Vegas on March 12, 2011. Mr. Dougherty was a Delaware native and grew up in the 40 Acres area of Wilmington.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Dougherty of Las Vegas; a son, Shaun Dougherty of Wilmington; and a daughter, Stephanie Marlar and her husband Robert Marlar of Austin, TX.
Mr. Dougherty was a musician and guitarist, and author of three books on music. A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, he was also well-known, nationally and locally, as a teacher of guitar and theory, and he inspired many musicians, some to careers in music and others to discover their own joy in music. John performed with his own band in every city in which he lived and also performed with Lou Donaldson; James Brown; George Benson, Kool and the Gang, Jack McDuff and Pat Martino at various times in his musical career.
Mr. Dougherty's public revelation of his childhood abuse by a priest of the Diocese of Wilmington, Edward Carley, helped lead to the passage of the Child Sexual Abuse statute in Delaware that lifted the statute of limitations on claims against the church and clergy. It also paved the way for other victims of abuse to be able to speak out and seek help after years of fear and pain.
The family is making private funeral arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Dougherty
George Christie
April 23, 2011
Jean, I just found out about John passing away. He was a great help to me during the 70's when I would come over to the Grant Ave. house and take guitar lessons from him in the basement. We always had a great time together and had a mutual understanding and philosophy about the instrument. I discovered agate picks from Mrs. Miller shortly after John did, and have a collection of Min'd picks which I still use. My condolences also to Shaun and Stephanie.
George Christie
New Castle, De.
dale ciccarelli
April 12, 2011
I am saddened as my prayers and thoughts go out to Jean, Shaun and Stephanie. He was a great musician, musical mentor and the best teacher you could ask for. He taught me not only how to play guitar but to undersand music in general. His influnece is always with me and I'm sure all of the others who were fortunate enough to have encountered John's teachings can say the same. (Dale, Lansdale, PA)
April 9, 2011
Jean, Sean, and Stephanie....I just heard about John's passing, and I am truly sad. I will always remember how much I enjoyed going to his guitar lessons in Wilmington. He was such an inspiration to me musically, and personally.
Rod Drake
April 4, 2011
I was shocked to hear of John's passing. He was a mentor to me some 35 yrs ago, inspiring me and giving me confidence to go on and play professionally for 2 years. He was a great guy, excellent guitar player and he will be missed by all. My sincere condolences to the family.
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Farid Osman
April 2, 2011
I just learned about John by Kathy Matassa, my sister in law and I am very sad. John was my music teacher in Wilmington Delaware and despite the distance(I live in Casablanca Morocco) and the time, John as a guitar music teacher as a person had a big impact on my way of thinking musically.I am still using his music sheets.My deep condolences to Jean Shaun and Stephanie. Farid Osman (Casablanca-Morocco)
Kern
April 1, 2011
Jean, Shaun, and Stephanie,
I am so sorry and saddened to hear of John's passing. A friend emailed the Wilmington obituary to me here in Virginia.
John was, and will remain, a true inspiration to me and to countless others. His life and spirit touched so many people. John's vast talents, courage, generosity, and understanding were almost limitless.
Like so many others, I derived a deeper understanding of music, guitar playing, and "jazz life" from John's empathy, virtuoso playing, and teaching expertise.
Our ensuing friendship enhanced and made those lessons broader, better, and special.... and added to the various life experiences that we shared together over many years.
I'm thinking of you at this difficult time and I am reflecting on all of the many facets that John's life embraced, reflected, and illuminated.
Fred Kern
Ann & Steve Meyer
March 31, 2011
Jean, We were so sorry to hear about John. I have wonderful memories of John's Wilmington gigs- seeing John and Rich play jazz together. They were amazing. My heart goes out to you.
Frank Baldo
March 31, 2011
John was a musical hero to me all my life. My father was his first guitar teacher. In my 20's I became John's student and he was an inspiring, supportive and challenging teacher.
He was the embodiment of "cool."
He touched many lives by sharing his prodigious musical gifts.
Doug Jones
March 31, 2011
Hello Jean; I can't tell you how many times I thought of John and you as life had moved on and we all moved to diffetrent parts of the country and how he and you were great mentors and friends as I came to take lessongs and helped me prepare for Berklee summer session which was a great time for me, God bless you and Shawn and Stefanie.
March 31, 2011
Jean, there will never be another John in the history of music. He was a true artist and one of the most open hearted man we will ever know. This has got to be
so difficult for you and our hearts are with you. Will keep calling on you to check on you. Love, Beverly and Owen Patrick
March 31, 2011
Jean,
You, Shaun and Stephanie are in our thoughts. John was one of the greatest in his field and a true music mentor to many. Jim never tired of talking about their days of "playn' music" up and down the East Coast.
John is dearly missed. My heart is with you.
Sheri Dougherty, Tampa, Florida
Hap Smith
March 31, 2011
I first met John in '67 or '68 in Boston when I had to go on the road and needed to leave the local organ group I was with, with a capable guitarist. Saying that John was capable is an understatement. He did great with that group and was the only Boston guitarist to keep a steady jazz gig with an organ group for a couple of years. I ran into him and Jean again in Vegas when he was the president of the Min'd pick company. John gave me my first mind pick and I used them for at least two years after that. It was a great pick that he developed that players still search out and other companies try to mimic. I was able to connect with him and Jean again when they moved to Vegas a few years ago. What a musical family. I met the kids and they have great personalities and are seriously talented. Again John was playing with an organ group and making a name for himself as a player, teacher and writer. I got seriously ill and John would ride his motorcycle over and give me support (he and Jean loved riding on Sundays around the valley). The music community here is tight and we are all going to miss John. My heart goes out to Jean, who is one strong gal,as I know that life just
can't be the same without him.
Paul Hess
March 30, 2011
Jean: really sorry to hear of your and our loss. I think of John and all of you often and am thankful for the musical opportunity that the trio and especially John offered...great stuff. Many hours in the basement and on gigs provided a wonderful music experience. Our thoughts are with you and the "kids". Paul and Joyce Hess
David Schiff
March 30, 2011
John was a great musician and an inspiration to all who knew him. As a professional musician myself, I admired his dedication to his God givin talent and his great love of teaching other students to be the best at what they do. We will miss him dearly.
March 30, 2011
Jean,
I was saddened to hear that John had passed away. He was a great influence on me during the time I took lessons from him, and really did help me to enjoy playing - and playing around with - music. He was so creative in thought and deed. I will truly miss him. Gary Branton
March 30, 2011
Jean: I am so sorry to read of John's passing. John and I go way back to our school days at St.Ann's, Salesianum,and enjoying talking of old times over a cup of coffee in the 40 Acre's. Our prays are with the Dougherty Family. Lou and Sue DiMascio
J Meyer-Dawson
March 30, 2011
John was a great music mentor for my brother, Rich. Our family is saddened by the loss of a great musician. John's family is in our thoughts and prayers.
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