Thomas Blase Doherty Sr.
Thomas Doherty Sr. of Vermilion Bay, ON passed away peacefully at 5:45 a.m. on March 19, 2003 surrounded by his loved ones. Tom was the third son born to Matthew and Seraphine (Roussin) Doherty, at home in Birsay, Saskatchewan; becoming the sixth child to this couple. In 1943, the family, now with nine children, moved to Quibell, ON where Tom attended elementary school, before striking out on his own, working on his uncle Feerman Marion’s farm. He then went on to be a Camp Helper at Manotak Lodge in Perrault Falls. Tom got hired on in Perrault Falls by the Dept. of Highways as a grader operator (an occupation that stayed passionately with him until only a month before his death). Running grader again, he hired on with Mando working at Camp Robinson and helping to build the Jones Road. Changing direction, Tom learned to haul pulpwood and worked a winter for Hertz and Herbash before venturing to work for Willard Norton of Vermilion Bay, where he stayed employed for many years, doing many things such as moving houses, operating machinery, ect. Tom lost his father Matthew in 1949 and his dearly beloved mother, Seraphine in 1963. About this time, Tom met and married Jeanette Roen of Vermilion Bay on Sept. 24, 1965. They soon purchased a home on Tower Rd. where they had their family of three children: Deborah, Wendy and Thomas Jr. Sadly on March 18th, 1973; Jean passed away after a lengthy illness, leaving Tom to raise his family. Working at Hoey McMillian Ltd. Of Dryden for the next 21 years as a heavy machine operator and truck driver enabled Tom to spend time with his family and in 1983, he developed a very warm and loving relationship with Dorothy Smith of Vermilion Bay, herself a single parent with two young children; Helena & Joseph. With a mind to semi retirement, Tom took a position with Kupper Contracting of Waldhof as a truck driver and machine operator; he worked full-time hours; but no longer drove to Dryden and back daily. Dorothy and Tom attended almost every social function in and around the area and both are members of the Happy Go Lucky Seniors of Vermilion Bay. Tom was known for his love of dancing, he would not sit down all evening and could kick up his heels all night long …this must have appealed to Dorothy because they remained partners through these years and enjoyed these times together. If you wanted to play cards, call Tom and the game was on; fishing in his boat gave him many hours of enjoyment and every Friday evening during the summer months, Tom would be found faithfully at the Stock Car Races on Johnson Rd. in Dryden. His grandchildren also gave him great joy and pride. Tom still had many siblings in Saskatchewan and looked forward to going out there to visit; he and Dorothy went as often as possible. On December 9, 1990, tragedy struck the Doherty family when Wendy’s husband, Lance Wehrstedt was killed enroute to Vermilion Bay to join Wendy, who was home preparing to deliver their first child. Tom was instrumental in helping Wendy cope with her loss as he too had experienced the loss of a spouse. Lance Karl Jr. was born December 15, 1990 and because of illness, passed in October 1994. Before his death, baby Lance was given a baby sister, Kayla Lynn Marie on May 4, 1993 to love and cherish him too. Today, Wendy is engaged to be married to Leonard Hyatt and they reside with Kayla in Thunder Bay. Deborah moved to Thunder Bay in 1989, to attend University where she met her husband David Schelling; they still reside there today. Thomas Jr. kept in close contact with his father while pursuing his University education and remained employed at the Mill in Dryden, throughout his studies, by commuting. Thomas Jr. met his wife Kristine and are now residing in Vermilion Bay. They proudly presented Tom with another grandchild, and Kayla with another cousin; this little tykes’ name is Spencer born on July 5, 2001Helena is currently employed at RMH as a telemarketer in Thunder Bay. Joey is soon to be married to Phoebe Richardson and is employed at Dryden G.M. They reside in Vermilion Bay. For the past 11 years, Tom worked as a grader operator (part-time), for Bill Reimer, owner/operator of Kindlane Contracting in Vermilion Bay. He enjoyed visiting the shop almost daily and being one of the guys, he was always ready when needed. Tom will be sorely missed by all who knew him; especially those at the Village Corner, who coffee’d with him daily and his brother Jim, who spent many long hours with Tom doing the things that brothers do. Mr. Thomas Doherty is survived by his wife Dorothy, Sons Thomas Jr. (Kristine) Doherty of Vermilion Bay, Joseph (Pheobe) Bakondi, daughters Hail (David Shelling) Thomas of Thunder Bay, Wendy (Lenord) Hyatt, Helena Bakondi. Grandchildren Kayla-lynn, Spencer, Yolanda, Micheal, Daniel, Jordan, Nicolas, and Duke. Aunts Albertine and Lucie Roussin of Dryden, brothers Frank (Joyce) Doherty Saskatoon, Sask., Jim (Jo Ann) Doherty of Waldhof, ON sisters Mary Plouzin Waka, Sask, Josephine (Herman) King Middle Lake, Saskatewan, Cecelia Hardcastle of Sicamous, British Columbia and Therese (Vern) Dahl of Brocheridale, British Columbia, brother-in laws- Edward Monty of Vermilion Bay, Oscar Monty of Dryden, Gordon (Liz) Monty of Vermilion Bay, ON sister-in-laws Elsie Rolston Aurburn, Indiana, Genny Doherty of Lake Lenore, Sask., numerous precious nieces and nephews. Tom was also predeceased by brother John Doherty and sister Teresa Buckler. Visitation for Mr. Thomas Doherty Sr. was held at the Dryden Community Funeral Home on Friday March 21, 2003 4-8 pm and at the Vermilion Bay United Church from 9-10 a.m. on Saturday March 22, 2003. Funeral services for Mr. Thomas Doherty will be held on Saturday March 22, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at the Vermilion Bay United Church with Mr. John Mulders officiating. Interment in the Vermilion Bay cemetery. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Northern Cancer Research or the Lung Association through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
