Divine Word Father Gerard O’Doherty, who served as a missionary on three continents, died at Techny on July 16, two days shy of his 86th birthday.
“He will be remembered by those who live and follow his example,” said Father Thomas Krosnicki SVD, who delivered the homily at Father O’Doherty’s funeral Mass. “He took pride in being a missionary servant.”
A proud Irishman born in Dublin in 1938, Gerard O’Doherty was one of James and Catherine (nee Gahan) O’Doherty’s five sons.
He completed his novitiate at St. Patrick’s College in Donamon, Roscommon, Ireland, in 1969 and professed vows in 1970 at age 32. He then studied theology at Divine Word Seminary in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1974.
Father O’Doherty’s superiors sent him to the Philippines for his first assignment to serve as a teacher and administrator. He worked in education and pastoral ministry in the Philippines for 17 years before returning home to Ireland to serve as procurator of the Ireland Community.
Five years later in 1996, he was needed in California, where he was appointed treasurer for the Western Province. He also served Our Lady of Loretto parish in Los Angeles, Our Lady of Lourdes in Los Angeles and Queen of Angeles in Riverside, Calif.
While ministering in Southern California, Father O’Doherty was approached by a Los Angeles Times reporter. The reporter asked if he planned to eat corn beef on that particular St. Patrick’s Day, which fell on a Friday during Lent. In his pleasing Irish brogue, Father O’Doherty mischievously answered, “Those who are wise enough don’t ask” and then followed up with “It might be heresy, but we might eat Italian or Chinese.”
Father O’Doherty moved to Techny in retirement in 2017.
He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Brendan O’Doherty. He is survived by brothers James, Peter and Brian O’Doherty.
A wake was held in the chapel of Divine Word Residence at Techny on July 22, followed by his funeral Mass. He will be buried at St. Mary Cemetery at Techny.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for in the name of Father O’Doherty can be made for the care of retired missionaries and may be sent to The Rector, Divine Word Residence, 1901 Waukegan Road, P.O. Box 6000, Techny, IL 60082-6000.