Thomas E. Dougherty

Thomas E. Dougherty of Clayton, NJ, and formerly of Richboro, PA, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025, surrounded by his adoring family. He was 91. Born in Philadelphia in 1933, Tom was the beloved husband of Eleanor Mastalski Dougherty for the past 16 years, and the devoted husband of the late Florence Gurka Dougherty for 47 years, who passed in 2007. He was the cherished son of the late Edward P. and Honora "Nora" Quarry Dougherty, and brother of the late Mary Furey, Margaret Hannon, and Edward P. Dougherty Jr.
Tom grew up in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia, a member of St. Stephen's Parish. A proud graduate of North Catholic High School for Boys (Class of 1951), he went on to earn his undergraduate degree from La Salle University in 1955-a path he credits his mother for having steered him to which shaped the rest of his life.
Tom proudly served his country in the United States Army for six years from 1956 to 1962, with two years active duty overseas. He held numerous roles, including Infantryman, Ambulance Driver, Special Services Gymnasium Manager, and Payroll Specialist, serving primarily in Germany. His time in the military gave him a global perspective and lifelong pride in service, which he described as one of the most influential periods of his life.
After returning home, Tom met Florence Gurka in 1958 at the Pulaski Citizens Club in Nicetown, beginning a 49-year storybook romance that he described as "love at first sight". Tom and Florence were wed in 1960, and the Irishman fit right into the Polish family he had married into. The couple spent 16 happy years raising their 3 children on Ridgefield Road in the Our Lady of Calvary parish of Northeast Philadelphia where they made many wonderful friends before moving the family to Bucks County.
Following Florence's passing, Tom was blessed to find love again, and so it was that he and Eleanor Mastalski Walker were wed on December 27, 2008. A long-time friend of Florence's, Eleanor had also recently lost her husband, Larry, and together Tom and Eleanor found healing and joy. Tom often expressed how truly fortunate he was to have been loved by two extraordinary women, calling himself "Twice Blessed."
Professionally, Tom's work ethic and varied career reflected his deep commitment to excellence and service. His first job was at age 10 with Penn Fruit, and he would go on to serve in high-level procurement roles with General Electric (16 years), Conrail (12 years), and Boeing (7 years). His work in government contract management made him a sought-after expert, and he served as President of the Philadelphia Purchasing Management Association (PMAP) and contributed at the national level as well. He also taught procurement at Penn State, Bucks County Community College, and Rowan University, mentoring many in the field.
Tom's career was complemented by an impressive array of part-time jobs and community roles-from soda vendor at Shibe Park in the 1940s to a 16-year run as a ticket seller at Liberty Bell Racetrack. Even into his 70s, Tom served as a legislative aide to a local state representative in Richboro whose work he admired.
A devoted Catholic, Tom was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, lector, usher, and faithful parishioner. He lived by his five guiding principles: love of God, family, neighbor, employer, and wife. He was also a proud La Salle Explorer, even serving on the Alumni Board of Directors and recruiting new students for each new fall semester. He was an avid reader, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan, a poet, a civic leader, and the author of his autobiography, My Life Story Through My Eyes. Tom and Florence created epic vacation traditions for their family; in so doing, they instilled in their children a love for being "down the shore". Tom enjoyed a good road trip and a relaxing Sunday drive (because Explorers are never lost). He was a master networker – if you needed a job, he'd find the exact right person to help you land it.
Tom was the faithful keeper of tradition-deeply proud of his 100% Irish heritage and equally devoted to honoring the 100% Polish roots of both of his beloved wives, Florence and Eleanor. Over the span of 63 years of marriage, he created a blended legacy of two cultures, rooted in faith, family, music, and memory. With the heart of a self-professed troubadour, Tom delighted in spontaneously calling friends and family to sing to them-sometimes for hours-drawing from his lovingly curated catalogue of Irish ballads, Polish folk songs, and modern Pop Culture Classics that stirred his soul. Weekends in the Dougherty home played out to a soundtrack handpicked by Tom: a faithful stack of vinyl albums echoing through the house, weaving together laughter, stories, and the steady rhythm of love.
He especially cherished celebrating St. Patrick's Day, reveling in the sounds of live Irish music alongside his Irish clansmen and women, and found equal joy attending Polish festivals and concerts with his extended Polish family. These musical gatherings were among the happiest times of his life-celebrations of heritage, community, and the songs that bound them together.
Music wasn't just Tom's passion-it was a gift he shared freely and often. The songs he sang are now the notes of memory still playing in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. His life was a ballad-melodic, meaningful, and unforgettable-composed of verses he sang from the heart. In his own way, Tom was a modern-day troubadour: a poetic soul who gave voice to love, tradition, and the joy of being alive.
Above all, Tom lived a life rooted in love. As he once wrote, "I would like to be remembered as Just Me. For my entire life, I was JUST ME. I never tried to be anybody else... With that approach guiding my life, I always knew that I could forever Rest in Peace."
Tom lived an idyllic life of his own design. He was ready and well prepared to meet his Lord and to be reunited with his loved ones.
In addition to his beloved wife Eleanor, Tom is survived by his children: Celine Hampson (Mike), Tim Dougherty (Lisa), and Jill Henofer (Rick); his six grandchildren: Timmy Dougherty, Shane Hampson (Jackie), Brynn de Garavilla (Joe), Dylan Hampson, Brooke Ebert (Sean), and Brett Henofer; and three great-grandchildren: Leo, Case, and Roman.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewings: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.), Richboro, PA and Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11 AM, at St. Bede the Venerable Church 1071 Holland Rd., Holland, PA Interment with Military Honors will follow at Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery, Doylestown, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to one of the following organizations that were close to his heart: