Gerard P. Dougherty, avid traveler, Freeport resident, dies

Family members of Gerard P. Dougherty, former vice president of the Bank of New York and a longtime Freeport resident, say they will always remember his endless stories about his travels abroad and his dedication to helping others.

Dougherty, 75, died Feb. 12 at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside of cardiac complications, his family said.

"Any place he went, he'd be telling the stories and everyone would be gathered around him," said Dougherty's son, Gerard, 39, of Freeport. People would often call out requests for stories - even for the ones they'd heard before, his son said.

Dougherty was a man of eclectic interests. He lived in Paraguay for more than five years with a Catholic service group building a school and enjoyed traveling throughout his life, his family said.

His family said Dougherty spoke six languages including Spanish, Latin and Greek. He also played several instruments, including the piano, organ and saxophone. His son said Dougherty was always reading and interested in expanding his skills.

As a young man, Dougherty pursued a career in municipal finance, working with bonds and on several Wall Street deals, his son said.

A native of Brooklyn, he moved to Long Island in 1976 and became a longtime Freeport resident. He left banking in 1989 and became the assistant superintendent of finance at the North Babylon School District and the Mount Vernon School District. He retired from Mount Vernon about five years ago, his family said.

His wife of more than 43 years, Ines Dougherty, 76, said the two often traveled to countries such as Spain, England, Colombia, France and Italy. "We have so many memories," his wife, a retired social worker, said. "I will miss everything. He was very nice and kind to everybody."

Dougherty was often the center of attention at large family gatherings or holiday events. "He enjoyed being around people," Dougherty's son, an attorney, said.

Dougherty was also a devoted Catholic, his family said. He received a bachelor's degree in philosophy and master's degree in religious education from Mount St. Alphonsus in upstate Esopus, as well as a bachelor's in history from Iona College in New Rochelle, his son said.

In December, as Dougherty's health worsened, he checked into South Nassau Communities Hospital. He remained there until his death, his son said.

Besides his wife and son, he is survived by his brothers Joseph Dougherty, of South Huntington, and Robert Dougherty, of Ohio, and his sisters Maureen Fraser, of Garden City, and Regina Milton, of Edison, N.J.

The wake will be Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Macken Mortuary, 52 Clinton Ave., in Rockville Centre. The funeral will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Cathedral, 29 Quealy Place, in Rockville Centre. He will be cremated.