Doherty, Patrick John:

Passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the age of 87. Beloved husband of Gloria (nee Heath) for 62 years. Loving father of Kathy Doherty-Masters (Fred), Lawrence Doherty (Jodie), and Kelley Schell (Dan). Poppy to Andrew and Brendan Masters, Josh, Myles and Madison Brundage, and Owen and Nathan Schell. Dear brother to Joe, Maureen and the late Jack. Predeceased by his parents Leo and Kathleen Doherty.

Pat spent over 40 years in Catholic Education. His career began in Peterborough in 1949. In 1955, he moved to Kitchener and shortly after became the Athletic Director at St. Jerome's High School, a position he held for 9 years. Here he enjoyed many successful years coaching some of the most powerful football and hockey teams in the province. For the next 21 years, he held the position of Supervisor of Athletics for the Waterloo Catholic School Board.

Pat was passionate about volunteering. He touched the lives of countless young people both directly and indirectly. Pat served as a coach, manager, administrator, educator and author. His contributions have been widely recognized and many awards have been bestowed upon him. Some of the more notable of these were an Honourary Doctorate from WLU, Gold Stick award for the OHA, CAHA Merit award, OHA Life Membership and the OHF President's Award for recognizing over 50 years of service to amateur hockey in Ontario. Additionally, he was Kitchener's final torch bearer for the 2010 Winter Olympic Torch relay and the City of Kitchener named a local arena after him. It was at this arena (affectionately referred to by Pat and his family as PJD) where he spent many hours teaching and grooming the pre-tyke, tyke and novice hockey leagues, one of his greatest passions. The plaque in the arena that bears his name reads, "To watch youngsters improve and enjoy their respective sport is the ultimate reward for me as a volunteer."

In 1997, Pat received the Gordon Juckes Award, the CAHA's highest honour at the National level for his contributions to Hockey Development in Canada. Pat also enjoyed taking on many leadership roles that included Chairman of the OHA, President of the KMHA and one of his most rewarding ones, Co-ordinator of the 1986 World Junior Hockey Championships in Hamilton.
Despite all of these high profile positions, Pat's heart belonged to his family. Pat, with Gloria, provided a most loving home where the door was always open. When Pat's children were young, every winter he crafted them a perfect backyard rink which provided space for endless games of shinny. He guided them through their minor sport and education years and he always had much to be proud of. When his 4 grandsons came along, he couldn’t help but keep them close. Poppy, as he was known to them, was at as many practices, games and school functions that he could schedule into his "Blackberry". He shared in their many joyous victories and was a sympathetic ear when they just needed someone to listen. Andrew, Owen, Brendan and Nathan will dearly miss their beloved Poppy, but will always cherish the time that they were able to spend with him.
Pat will be laid to rest on his 62nd wedding anniversary.

Pat's family and friends will be received on Thursday 7-9 p.m. and Friday 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener (519-749-8467). Parish prayers Friday at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's R.C. Church (56 Duke Street, West, Kitchener) on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 11 a.m.

Interment to follow at Woodland Cemetery followed by a reception at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, Kinsmen Arena, 400 East Avenue, Kitchener.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to Donna's Kids or Children's Wish Foundation would be appreciated (cards available at the funeral home).

Visit www.henrywalser.com for Pat's memorial.