Joseph T. Dougherty

Joseph T. Dougherty, 92, died peacefully at his home in North Caldwell, New Jersey, on Thursday, March 26, 2026, surrounded by family.

Visiting will be held at the Dancy Funeral Home, 9 Smull Avenue, Caldwell, on Sunday, March 29, from 2 to 6 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, 359 Central Avenue, North Caldwell, on Monday, March 30, at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Caldwell.

Born to Charles and Elizabeth Dougherty in Glen Ridge and raised in Montclair. Joseph was 1 of 6 children; Teddy, Robert, Ray, Paul, and Elizabeth. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School with the Class of 1951. A talented athlete, he played quarterback on his high school football team. It was during those years that he also met the love of his life, Adele.

After high school, Joseph served his country honorably in the United States National Guard. He and his wife Adele moved to Orange following their marriage.

A few years later, Joseph and Adele settled in West Caldwell in 1963, where they began raising their family of 6 children. Over the years, they built homes as they moved throughout West Caldwell before settling in North Caldwell in 1986. Joseph left a lasting mark on the Caldwells, having built more than a dozen homes where generations of West Essex families continue to make their own memories. His legacy lives on through his 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Joseph was a gifted carpenter whose skill, work ethic, and pride in craftsmanship were evident in everything he built. He began his career with the Carpenters Union and later worked successfully as a salesman for Equitable Life Assurance. Ultimately, however, he returned to his true passion, working for himself as a carpenter and completing many home renovations and custom builds throughout the community he loved.

He also embraced life beyond his work. Joseph loved to travel and ski. In high school, he was the 4-year starting quarterback. Even after high school he remained an active member of the Montclair Ski Club. He was also a skilled tennis player and, in his younger years, worked as a lifeguard in Lavalette. Deeply committed to his community, he gave back as a Rotarian and was a devoted member of Notre Dame Parish in North Caldwell; proud leader of men’s cornerstone and cursillo.

Joseph was predeceased by his daughter, Donna Mormelo; his son-in-law, Bernard Mormelo; and his granddaughter, Maryrose Mormelo.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Adele (née Marra) Dougherty; his children, Deborah Gates (Jim), Joseph Thomas Dougherty, Jr. (Wendy), Maryadele Wojtowicz (Edward), Lisa A. Oyama (Christopher), and Laura Drago (Thomas); his grandchildren, Jen Soricelli (Jeff), Jimmy Gates, MD (Kathleen, MD), Callie Pombriant (Joe), Joseph Thomas Dougherty, III, Matthew Mormelo, Michelle Dougherty, Evan Gates (Megan), Melissa Maclay (Brian), Kristin Gray (Sean), Carlysa Oyama, MD, Alex Wojtowicz (Steph), Alison Mortimer (Chris), Mia Adele Oyama, Rachel Wojtowicz, Tommy Drago, Michael Drago, and Anthony Drago; and his great-grandchildren, James, John “Wes,” and Connor Gates, Cameron, Carter, and Aidan Gates, Isabelle Pombriant, Sonny and Shepherd Gray, Joseph IV, Clodagh, and Orlaith Kate Dougherty, and James Ryan and Henry Maclay.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Notre Dame Church in North Caldwell or to the West Essex First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated.

Condolences and memories may be shared on his obituary page at DancyFuneralHome.com.