John J Doherty

John J Doherty Jr., 64 years old, passed away unexpectedly on May 24, 2020, due to suffering a heart attack while on a Sunday morning motorcycle ride, a local tradition which he so enjoyed. He was surrounded by his good friends that have ridden together with him for decades.

John was born in Forest Hills, New York, and grew up in Tiburon, Calif., attending the first class at St. Hilary elementary school. He then graduated from Marin Catholic High School and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from San Jose State University. He played Division 1 tennis at San Jose State and continued to enjoy playing tennis throughout his life.

He worked at San Francisco Dry Dock as an outside machinist until his knees prevented him from climbing stairwells in the dry dock. Even with bad knees, he continued to play tennis at the Fairfax public courts and kept the area spruced up and clean.

John loved the outdoors and enjoyed riding his electric-bikes, paddling his kayak, and especially participating in the Sunday morning motorcycle ride. He loved animals and even rescued a couple of feral cats from the shipyard, naming them Happy and Tiger. John had a big heart, was devoted to his family and friends, and took great care of his mother with whom he lived. He will be greatly missed.

John is survived by his mother, Mary Claire Doherty; brother Owen (Maggie) Doherty; sisters Maureen Doherty (Ed Franco) and Cathy (Bill) Ference; and loving nieces, nephews and other relatives. His father, John J. Doherty, predeceased him.

A private ceremony will be held at Valley Memorial Park in Novato. A Mass for John will be held at a later date.