RAYMOND DOUGHERTY, ROCKLEDGE

Raymond Dougherty, 85, passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at Brevard Hospice Care Center in Rockledge. His caring spirit and sly wit will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Born September 3, 1922 in Wilmington, Delaware.

Ray was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and Blind Veterans Association. He served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps and later in the Air National Guard. In 1947, he married his wife, Louise, and started a family.

After the family moved to Florida in 1958, he worked in logistics at NASA's Kennedy Space Center during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs until his retirement from civil service in 1970.

A loyal fan of the Miami Hurricanes for more than six decades, Ray held season tickets for years and raised three generations of devoted Canes fans.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Louise; daughters Linda (Marion) Cheney and Marilou (Cecil) Boggs; son, Michael (Rose) Dougherty; granddaughters Anna (Daniel) Heiney and Hope Dougherty; grandsons Andrew (Kristina) Boggs, John (Danielle) Boggs and Kenneth Dougherty; three great-grandchildren; and too many nieces, nephews and friends to count. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Raymond Dougherty; sister, Alice Dougherty; and grandson, Michael Cheney.

The family will receive friends on Saturday August 2, 2008 from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11 a.m., at Florida Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Florida Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice and Palliative Care, 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera, FL 32940.