William O. Doherty

William O. Doherty, Jr., of West Haverstraw, has passed away following a brief illness. He died on March 4, 2025 in Nyack Hospital surrounded by family. He was 76 years old.
Born 6/23/1948 to William Sr. and Margaret (nee Erbe) he spent an idyllic childhood in Pearl River with his sister, Judi, riding his bike all over town.
He deepened an innate love for both military discipline and history at the Admiral Farragut Academy naval preparatory school in New Jersey.
After graduating Bill served honorably in the Coast Guard from 1967-1971, first as a seaman on the USCGC Tamaroa and then as a damage controlman based at the Fire Island Lighthouse. He was fiercely proud of his time in the Coast Guard and years later fought to save his beloved Tam. He remained a Coastie till the end.
It was during these years that he met the love of his life, Regina Accardi. They married on January 10th, 1971. After Bill's honorable discharge they moved to Virginia where Bill attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History at Roanoke College. He was especially proud of his academic research on the Fincastle Rifles. After graduating he worked at the Booker T. National Park in Charlottesville, Virgina and delighted in sharing his knowledge with park visitors. He had an unending enthusiasm for the Civil War, and participated in many reenactments.
He continued to study the history of the Civil War even after moving back to New York with Regina and their daughter Angela. There Bill braved the NYC commute for 30 years working for Cushman & Wakefield, starting as an Engineer's Helper and working his way up to Property Manager. The family made a home in West Haverstraw and brought two other children into the world, his sons Sean and Daniel.
Bill never forgot his passion for history, volunteering with the Rockland County Historical Society and actively participated in the Civil War Round Table. He transcribed and annotated diaries and letters, published articles in "South of the Mountain", and worked to catalog every Civil War Veteran buried in Rockland County. He touched countless people with his work, more than we will ever know.
He is survived by his children, Angela, Sean, and Daniel; his grandchildren, Liam, Piper and Rocco; and his sister, Judi.
Funeral services and burial will be private.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Historical Society of Rockland County, 20 Zukor Road, New City, NY 10956. No flowers please.