Edmond Doherty

Edmond J. Doherty, 81, of Wyomissing, passed away Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 12:16 pm in St. Joseph Medical Center. He was the husband of Frances J. (Jeffreys) Doherty whom he married on August 1, 1959. Born in New York City, he was the son of the late George and Marie Eloise (DuCote) Doherty. He was a graduate of St. Martins College in Olympia, Washington with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Philosophy and received his Masters degree in Library Science from Rutgers University and served in the United States Army. He was Library Director for the Reading Public Library for 24 years, retiring in 1990. Mr. Doherty was active in the United Way of Berks County, serving as Chair of the Planning Committee and received the Doran Award in 1979. He was president of the former Fellowship House of Reading; was active in the League of Women Voters of Berks County, serving as coordinator of Candidates Forums of Berks Community Television. He was president and founder of the Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site from 1995-1998. He served as chairman of the Ethics Board of the City of Reading from 1997-2000; served as president of the Middle Atlantic Regional Library Federation from 1977-1979 and served on the Advisory Committee to Berks County Area Agency on Aging. In addition to his wife Frances, Mr. Doherty is survived by his children Jon Doherty of Martinsburg, West Virginia; Elizabeth D. Spengler of Reading; Margaret F. Doherty of Ithica, New York and Katharine D. Dickmann, wife of Mark W. Dickmann of Mount Laurel, New Jersey. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jeffrey P. Keffer; Nathaniel L. Dickmann; Lyndsey F. Spengler and Rose T. Dickmann and his great grandson Hunter B. Keffer. Also surviving are his brothers Steve Doherty, husband of Anna Doherty of Mesa, Arizona; Louis Doherty of New Bedford, Massachusetts and Jerry Doherty, husband of Carolyn Doherty of Puyallup, Washington along with several nieces and nephews and was preceded in death by his brother George Doherty.
Remembrance Service to celebrate the life of Edmond J. Doherty will be held in Bean Funeral Homes & Crematory, 3825 Penn Ave. Sinking Spring Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 11:00 am. Inurnment will be held privately by the family in Charles Evans Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends Saturday 9:30-11:00 am. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Reading Public Library Foundation, 100 South Fifth Street, Reading, PA 19602 or The Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520 in memory of Mr. Edmond J. Doherty. Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com