Cyril R. Dougherty of Bradenton, Florida, passed in his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at the age of 90.
Cy grew up in Shenandoah, PA, the son of Joseph and Evelyn Dougherty. His father, Joseph James Dougherty, came from strong Irish roots and his mother, Evelyn Marie Sakalosky, was of strong Lithuanian roots. Cy attended Shenandoah Catholic High. He talked fondly of the adventures he had fishing and hunting and growing up as the dirty ½ dozen; which included Cy, (fool) because he had a reputation to do things others would not do, Bug Keiting, Baldy Pursey, Cap Klary, Bill Shieva (Groovy), Joe Namiaka (Juzio).
Cy graduated Shenandoah Catholic High with a basketball scholarship to Bloomsburg College for his great athleticism. At 6'4" he said he was hanging air long before Michael Jordan and said what an exhilarating feeling it was to do so. At Bloomsburg College he met the love of his life, Janet Eifert, whom he married a year later and moved to Stow Pennsylvania. Cy and Jan had 6 children: Vienna (Andrews), Keith, Cyril II (Skeeter to family), Sandra (Lloyd), Patrick and Michael.
Over the years, Cy worked various jobs in sales. He loved sales, loved the competition which won him a stereo with cabinet after selling 24 Kirby vacuums in one month when he didn't even have a car. In Allentown, PA, he became an aluminum siding salesman where his phenomenal sales skills won him a new car.
During his years in sales he took up golf which he came to love and loved playing in the local tournaments. Cy's love for golf led him to lifelong friendships which included Edgar Dalton who in the later years would faithfully visit Cy every week. They were blessed to attend the Masters Tournament 5 different times where Cy was blessed to watch and shake hands with his golf idle Jack Nicklaus.
In 1970, Cy and Jan loaded up the family and moved to Bradenton in sunny Florida for many new adventures.
Cy continued in sales and began selling cookware and china. He sold so many sets that he was asked to be a key note speaker for the cookware at the Stan Musial Hotel in Miami Beach Florida where he received Stan Musials' autograph which he gifted to one of his children.
Cy worked for Makedo 1000, a school of self-defense in Bradenton which quickly became the busiest office so he was sent to New York to head up the office there. Cy would commute as he did not wish to leave his Florida home and go back to icy winters of the north. While in New York, the owners also opened a software business which Cy was called to be vice-president. He enjoyed entertaining corporate executives with his witty charm and savvy golf skills.
Cy later founded his own business in the healthcare industry. The love he had for his parents inspired him to work at helping senior citizens stay in their homes as long as possible. For over 13 years, Cy ran Approved Homemakers and Companions. He carried 131 caregivers on staff and had million dollar contracts with both the county and state as well as private business.
Cy eventually sold the business and building and retired to be home with his wife who died of cancer in 2008.
Cy served on many committees thru the years. Cy served on Manatee Aging Network for 5 years and served as chairman for 3 years. He was on the Federal Organization of Florida Area Agency on Aging including all South area and the Tampa area where he met and lunched with Art Linkletter who was their honored guest.
Cy served 3 years on the Lobster Advisory Committee representing the recreational divers. Cy and his family were certified divers and loved to dive for lobsters in the Fl. Keys.
Cy was a lifetime member of the Elks. He was a lecturer for Knights of Columbus and was a 4th degree knight.
Once Cy started boating, he was "hooked". He loved the water and the salty life. Besides the annual lobster adventures, Cy also handled over 50 stone crab traps which needed checking every 3 days. The family, local and distant, loved getting together for so many wonderful seafood feasts. Fishing was loved by all family and friends, Vienna was often, well mostly, the one to bring in the biggest grouper, mahi mahi, snapper, snook, whatever was biting that day. Cy also took his family many times to Homosassa where they enjoyed the manatees, snorkeling for scallops, and spending sunny days with family.
The only thing Cy loved better than golf and fishing was his Irish Heritage, it was a MUST every year on St. Patty's Day that the family wear green! After he moved to Florida, he would dress up like a 6'4" leprechaun and visit the offices of his friends, gifting the office staff with golden treasures and Irish quotes. In fact, every year on St Patricks' Day, each of his children would receive a phone call first thing in the morning with a Irish brogue saying things like.. May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be forever at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. Or..May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you are dead. Or any other Irish saying he remembered. He was even blessed to visit Ireland a couple times and kiss the blarney stone; for full of blarney at times he was.
Cy loved the center stage, give him a microphone and off he went. Never bashful, always ready to make a new friend. For many years when he vacationed at Big Pine Key fish lodge he played King Thermidor in the family annual play. He had the privilege of knighting those who finally caught their first lobster, no matter their age. His wife Jan, naturally played the Queen.
Cy had a full wonderful life with many adventures. He was able to do all the things he loved and has passed those passions down to his children and grandchildren.
Cy was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jan; his fishing buddy and daughter Vi (Andrews); his loving parents, Joe and Evelyn; his brother, Jack; grandson, Scott; granddaughter, Magen (Sides). He is survived by his sister, Evelyn (Joe); his children, Keith, Cyril II (Sharen), Sandra (Lloyd), Patrick, Michael (Kat); 19 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren with one on the way, along with many nieces and nephews.
He truly had 90 wonderful years.
A Memorial Visitation will be 6-8 PM, Friday, August 30, 2024, at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207. A Memorial Mass will be 10 AM, Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, 933 Magellan Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243, followed by a family luncheon. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
