KINGFIELD, Maine — Francis “Bubba” William Joseph Doherty, 78, passed away on July 5, 2018, surrounded by family and his wife of 54 years, Virginia “Ginny” Doherty (McQuaid), at his daughter’s home in Topsham, Maine, after a long-fought battle with cancer.

Born August 23, 1939, in Portland, Maine, Francis attended both Saint Joseph’s Catholic School and Cheverus High School — a proud graduate of the class of 1957. He graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1970 with a degree in economics.

In 1959, he joined the Unites States Navy where he became a Medical Corpsman serving both at Camp Pendleton, California and Chelsea Naval Hospital, Massachusetts. While in the Navy, he met his lifelong dear friend Richard “Dick “Sorel.

He and Virginia were married in 1963 at Saint Pius the X Catholic Church, Portland, Maine, after is honorable discharge from the Navy. Thus, began his lifelong journey rebuilding the many dilapidated houses Ginny insisted on purchasing and rebuilding over the 50 + years to follow.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years Virginia “Ginny” McQuaid Doherty, his children Sean (Patricia) Doherty, Hampton N.H.; Ryan “Timmy” (Michelle) Doherty, Brunswick, Maine; Michael (Amy) Doherty, Treasure Island, FL and Courtney (Timothy) Doherty Oland, Topsham, Maine and Melissa (Chris) Lutz Moreau, Auburn, Maine. Grandchildren — Ashley, Jessie, Maggie, Abbigail, Nolan, Liam, Benjamin, Brynn, Conor, Courtney, Kaleigh and Keegan and many special nieces and nephews. Brother Alan (Mary) Doherty, Westbrook, Maine and sister Veronica (Roy) Clark, Auburn, Maine. He was predeceased by his father Francis and mother Bridget, as well as he older brother Thomas.

He will be remembered as a Master of Many Things — demonstrated by his many career pursuits that include: Mr. Mom before it was cool; truck driver, traveling drug salesmen, master electrician, expert home remodeler, farmer, General Store, Beauty Shop, Antique shop owner, Real Estate Broker and President of Mainline Distributors (Maine Hardware).

He was a great debater, encouraged early on by a win while a student at Cheverus High School against heavy odds. Any who choose or dared to engage were met with his well-informed intellect, wit and determination to be Right! He enjoyed history, reading and all things politics. A life long “die to the wool’ democrat, strong in his convictions regarding social justice for all. He is remembered my many as someone who would take the time to listen to anyone in need and freely give his opinion of the matter in return for “free.”

He enjoyed all things sports. Playing baseball and basketball as a child, taking up both skiing and running in his 40’s, finishing the Maine Marathon in 1992. He enjoyed many hours on the water cruising first to and from Long Island, Maine and Casco Bay and later in his kayak with family and friends.

He loved his many sports cars and collected several over the years with Ginny.

Active in the American Legon he was proud member of Post #61, Kingfield, Maine, at the time of his death.

He will be remembered as a prolific story teller and could often be found commanding and audience at many family gatherings and around the potbelly stove at the North Freeport General Store retelling one of the countless entertaining tales of his lifelong adventures. He enjoyed lifelong friendships with his Cheverus classmates and looked forward to their monthly breakfast and attended as many as his cancer battle would allow.

He and Ginny spend many years traveling taking to the road in their RV visiting much of the country as well as many summers at Popham Beach and winters in Mexico.

His greatest joy was his children and grandchildren and his dedication to them leaves a lasting and powerful legacy.

Thanks to Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice with special thanks to Jamie and Kenia also to the dedicated teams at Franklin Memorial Hospital outpatient clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, as well as the many fine people we encountered at the Togas VA Medical Center during this battle.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, July 14 at the home of his daughter at 606 Foreside Road, Topsham, Maine, with a brief service at 11 a.m. followed by refreshments and remembrances.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the American Legion Post #61 Norton Woori, Main North, Kingfield, Maine 04947 or the Maine Cancer Foundation — triforacure.org in Courtney’s name.

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