Thomas J. DOUGHERTY Ph.D.

DOUGHERTY - Thomas J., Phd Of Rochester, NY, Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at age 85. Predeceased by his parents, Norma and Joseph Dougherty; and brother David Dougherty. Tom is survived by his sister Carol Perry of Syracuse, NY; brother Joseph (Jenny) Dougherty of Webster, NY; sister-in-law, Carol Dougherty of Colorado; nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews. Tom lived in Grand Island, NY. He was a renowned cancer research scientist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute where he discovered and developed a cancer treatment called Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT). Dr. Dougherty has authored or coauthored over 200 scientific journal papers and has received numerous awards including The American Society of Photobiology Lifetime Achievement Award, The Sullivan Award (Ohio State University's highest honor for a graduate who has contributed most to the status of the university), the Benjamin Franklin Award for the Betterment of Human Health, Western New York Inventor of the Year, the Pioneers of Science award established by Professor Hauptman (himself a Nobel Laureate) and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Canisius College where he received his undergraduate degree. Thomas Dougherty was an exceptional human being, a shining light when it came to being creative and when it came to caring for others he was magnanimous beyond compare. His faith was as profound as his scientific brilliance. He thought about others before himself. His genius led him to cures. All this gave the world a genius and a saint without a halo. Tom was a profoundly humble man. He attributed his success to serendipity. He described his process of discovery with the words: "If your heart is open, if it is free of meanness, destiny takes us to wonderful places." Although the work goes on we have lost a very bright light.

As per Tom's wishes, there will be no funeral service. A Memorial Service will be on October 27, 2018 at 10:30 at Parkside Lutheran Church in Buffalo, NY. In honor of Tom, memorial contributions may be directed to The David Jay Dougherty Memorial Fund for Lung Cancer Detection & Treatment c/o Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Elm and Carlton Sts., Buffalo, NY 14623.