Edward James Dougherty III | Passages

Edward James Dougherty III passed away Sept. 10, 2009 after a long battle with cancer.

He was 66.

He was the son of Edward Dougherty II and Alfreda Rosler. He was a great-grandson of Christopher Rosler, who came to the island with Capt. George Pickett's Company D during the joint military occupation of San Juan Island; and Anna Pike, a Tsimshian from Metlakatla, Alaska.

He was born June 20, 1943 in Lawton, Okla., while his father was stationed at Fort Sill. The family returned to Friday Harbor; they spent two summers on Stuart Island while the father fished on a reef net for Barney Mordhorst, a relative.

They moved to Lake Stevens in 1952 and then to Sumner in 1959.

Ed graduated from Sumner High School in 1961 and went into the U.S. Navy. He was a radarman on a guided missile destroyer.

After his Navy service was completed, Ed moved to Bellingham where he worked in cold storage. He worked in fish canneries in southeast Alaska for 33 years.

He is survived by his loving wife Marlene, his brother Bill Woyach (Mary), his mother Alfreda Kelly, and his stepfather, Jack Kelly, all of Sumner.

He is also survived by his twins, Kirsten (Vic) Jones and Lance (Jamie) Dougherty; and stepchildren, Keri (Chris) Hintgen and Mike (Lisa) Dowers. Together, he and Marlene had 11 grandchildren.

He will be missed by his friends and numerous relatives, and his only living aunt, Dorothy Dougherty Lawson of Friday Harbor.

At Ed's request, there will be no service. Contributions preferred to the American Cancer Society.

— Family of Edward James Dougherty III

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.