Norman T. Doherty Sr.

Sterling - Norman T. Doherty, Sr., 84 of Sterling, died after a brief illness on August 19, 2023. Norman was a long-time resident of Sterling and a member of St. Richards’s of Chichester in Sterling. Norman was born to Thomas and Josephine (Vizard) Doherty in Cambridge, MA where he attended St. Mary’s Church and graduated from St. John’s High School before serving in the U.S. Air Force.

He met his wife, Nancy (Patterson) Doherty at a dance. Norman and Nancy were married on 9/1/62. Norman worked as a reporter for McGraw-Hill and then at F.W. Dodge. He was a realtor at Aberman Realty for several years. He worked as Vice President at Wolon’s Enterprises contracting. He became a CNA later in life, and he loved working at Alterra, later renamed Sunrise Assisted Living in Leominster, MA. His patients loved him and his easy humor.

Norman was a firefighter and EMT for the town. He was a first aid and CPR instructor. He was a Senior Ski Patroller at Wachusett and Crotched Mountains. He and his wife were foster parents for 43 years, fostering over 160 children and adopting three. Norman served as a DCF ambassador, giving talks at churches and working booths at fairs. He was a notary public. Norman’s volunteerism expanded to coaching his children’s sports teams, lecturing at church, collecting for the Bishop’s Fund, and volunteering for various church activities and events.

Norman is predeceased by his wife of 51 years and sons Timothy and Alexander. He is survived by his sister Margaret (Doherty) Foley of Windham, NH. He is also survived by his daughters, who were his caretakers, Laura Doherty and grandson Benjamin of Sterling, and Deborah (Doherty) Zangarine and her husband Kevin of Lancaster, MA and grandsons Anthony of Lancaster and Ryan of Virginia Beach, VA; sons Kenneth Doherty and his wife Margaret of Cocoa Beach, FL and grandsons Kenneth of Southbridge, MA and Thomas of Cocoa Beach, FL; Norman of Rancho Rio, NM and granddaughter Crystal; daughter Amanda, and great-grandchildren Mariah and Sawyer; and nieces and nephews.

Norman enjoyed dancing, singing, musicals, sailing, camping, skiing, biking and walking. He loved telling stories about growing up in Cambridge and summering on the Concord River in Billerica. Norman loved helping others and making people laugh and never took life too seriously.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend memorial calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 24th at St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge St., Sterling. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sterling Firefighters Association. P.O. box 1081, Sterling, MA 01564

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