Dennis James "Denny" Dougherty

Dennis “Denny” James Dougherty, 71 of Estero, Fla., was called home to the Lord Sunday, October 18, 2020. He was born on January 26, 1949 in Chicago, the oldest of seven children, son of James Dougherty and Jeanette (Baron) Dougherty along with stepfather Raymond Knezevich. Growing up, little league baseball was a love of his, along with riding bikes with his neighborhood friends and siblings. On the weekends he would shake things up at the local teenage dance clubs where he would dance the night away. His family, especially his children and grandchildren meant the world to him. Denny is survived by his wife, Karen Dougherty; two sons, Brian Dougherty (Margie) and Dennis Dougherty (Emily); two step-daughters, Lori Stoffregen (Fred) and Sharon Welch; and ten grandchildren, Nolan, Declan, Rory, Krista, Kate, and Julia Dougherty, Corey (Jennifer) Hodzic, Leah Blazer, and Haley and Mackenzie Welch; and one great-grandchild Braylin Niffen. He was the dearest brother of Thomas (Michele) Dougherty, Maureen (Thomas) Manning, Daniel (Angie) Dougherty, Marlene (Donald) Cummings and sister-in-law Diane Dougherty. He also had numerous nieces and nephews who just adored their Uncle Denny. Denny was such a genuine, caring, kind-hearted person who touched many lives. Almost everything he did in life was for the well-being of others. He will be forever remembered for his incredible generosity to his family, friends, and even complete strangers. Denny had a way of connecting with people. His upbeat personality and witty sense of humor would brighten your day. He will be forever remembered for his enormous heart. He had a charisma about him that always made others’ feel special. Denny was also a very hard-working man. While living in the western Chicago suburbs for half of his life, he started his electrical career as a co-owner of a small non-union shop, Ark Electric. In 1980, he founded union shop Preferred Electric with his dear friend Ron Bruno. The company specialized in industrial, commercial and office buildings. Their very first job was with Apple Computer corporate offices in the Midwest, which jumpstarted the company to where it is today. More than 40 years, later it remains Chicagoland’s premier source for superior electrical work with Amazon being a major client. Denny’s care for others also shined in his work life as he helped many men get their apprenticeship and mentored them to be outstanding electricians. Denny has seven immediate family members in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). After retiring in 2011, his work ethic continued into retirement where he would always be helping friends and neighbors with home projects. Disney World has always held a special place in Denny’s heart. He loved making memories with his children and grandchildren there every year. He had a passion for traveling – he toured the US in his RV enjoying all the sites the country had to offer. Camping was also a favorite pastime of his. For many years, he went camping in Door County, Wisc. There he enjoyed festivals, fish boils and sitting around the campfire with his family and friends and eventually owned a summer home in Door County. Denny had a life full of recreational accomplishments as well. He could bust a move on the dance floor, especially when an oldies song came on, he won the Dougherty family award for the largest pancake ever cooked over a campfire, and he finished first place in race-walking competitions with his “go big or go home” attitude. Before moving to Estero, Denny lived in Fort Myers Beach where he started the “Romeos” (Retired Old Men Eating Out). He and his friends would frequently walk the entire island. When they made it to downtown Fort Myers Beach, they would have a feast before turning around and walking back. After he moved inland to Estero, he met new friends and would continue his pleasure for walking and talking with his friends in his new neighborhood. Denny appreciated the little things in life such as watching the dolphins swim, eating a cheeseburger, sitting around a campfire telling stories, taking a dip in the pool, or getting hooked on a TV drama series. He absolutely loved it when his family would come to visit and he opened his home (and refrigerator) to everyone. He enjoyed hosting and was always one to throw a great party. Denny was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather; his brothers, Timothy Dougherty and James Dougherty; his grandparents, Thomas and Cecilia Baron and Patrick and Mary Dougherty. He was such a remarkable dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. His family will receive friends Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Trail So., Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Dennis James "Denny" Dougherty

January 26, 1949 - October 18, 2020