John M. Dougherty

John M. Dougherty, 54, of Scranton, died Sunday. He and his wife, the former Colleen M. Gallagher, were married on Jan. 8, 1997, and had celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Born in Scranton, son of Margaret M. Laboranti Dougherty of Scranton and the late Joseph M. Dougherty, he was a graduate of St. Paul's School and Scranton Technical High School class of 1986 and then went on to attend Lackawanna Junior College. He was a prominent local real estate owner, and was also owner and operator of NEPA Pest Control. He belonged to several clubs over the years including: Green Ridge Legion baseball, Scranton Association baseball, but he was most proud of his accomplishments while playing in the modified softball league at Hannon's Bar, winning four Pennsylvania State Championships and being named to the All-State team twice. John was an avid New York Yankees and New York Giants fan.

John enjoyed golfing and was a member of Glen Oak Country Club and additionally held memberships at the Jewish Community Center, Downtown Athletic Club and the Bakery Social Club. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church.

Also surviving are his children, Calah Dougherty and Shane Donovan, both of Scranton. They were the light of his life. His siblings, Bernadette Adcroft and husband, Robert; Patricia LaTorre and husband, Joseph; Christine Jones and husband, Kevin; Kathleen Barstow and husband, Robert; Ann Dougherty; Joseph Dougherty and wife, Kim; Edward Dougherty and wife, Dawn; Peggy Piccotti and husband, Eric; Ellen Dougherty; and Therese Walker and husband, Kevin; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, William Gallagher and wife, Beth Ann; Dennis Gallagher and wife, Marie; Kevin Gallagher and wife, Robyn; John Gallagher and wife, Terry; Brian Gallagher and wife, Ericka. Also surviving are his beloved godchildren, Jake Dougherty and Brittney Barstow; along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; as well as numerous devoted best friends, Joe Piazza, Frank "Tito" Adamo, Gary Borgia, Sam Borgia, Jerry Trently, Brian Walsh, E.J. Dougher, Mike Addessa, Mark Granahan and Dr. Elmo Baldassari.

John was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Dougherty; nephew, Robert Hamilton Barstow II; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Joan Gallagher; and several aunts and uncles.

To know John was to love John. His love of family and friends was only matched by his generosity. John was known as "everyone's" best friend and no matter what you needed or when you needed it, John was the first one there to oblige. Calah, his daughter, was the true apple of his eye, and he adored her like no other. He will be extremely missed by all that knew him. His presence was larger than life and when he walked into a room he commanded attention. He lived to make everyone else happy whether by playing with his nieces and nephews or gathering family and friends to go out for a large family dinner.

John's funeral will be Saturday with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Paul's Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton. Those unable to attend the Mass may view the service via livestream at www.scrantonfilms.com/livestream.

Interment to follow at the Cathedral Cemetery.

Family and friends may call Friday at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann Basilica, 1250 St. Ann's St., Scranton, PA 18504; or NAMI Northeast Region PA, 846 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510.

To offer an online condolence, please visit www.NEPAfuneralhome.com