In Memory: July 1

James Thomas Doherty, 84, Vero Beach

James Thomas Doherty, 84, passed away on June 30, 2020, in Vero Beach. He died peacefully after a short hospitalization.

Survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joann; and children James (Deborah), Bryan (Camella) and Tara (Thomas) Ahern. Six grandchildren, Megan and James Doherty and Tighe, Dylan, Glen and Shaye Ahern. Also survived by his brother Edward, and sisters Rosemary Sullivan and Anne Tozzi and many nieces and nephews.

Born on Nov. 4, 1935, in Brooklyn, NY, to Anna and John Doherty, the 2nd of their eight children. James served in the US Army Signal Corps during the Korean Conflict.  He was stationed in West Germany at the Top Secret Berlin Tunnel gathering intelligence on the Soviets and East Germany on project ”Operation Gold.”

He was a proud member of the NYPD, retiring as a Lieutenant after 33 years of service. He was also a member of the Emerald Society. He had a long and happy retirement, travelling the world with Joann and their long time friends. They especially loved cruising and took many over the years.

Jim and Joann raised their family on Long Island and have lived in Vero Beach for 20 plus years. Jim was a loving and loved husband, father and grandfather. He was a man of few words, loved a good crossword puzzle and enjoyed visiting up North to spend the summers and Christmas with family. He was the strong silent type and had a heart of gold. He will be missed immeasurably.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude.

 

Mark Ellery Severson, 69, Vero Beach

Mark Ellery Severson, 69, of Vero Beach and formerly of Minneapolis, Minn., left us suddenly and unexpectedly from a motorcycle accident near his home in Vero Beach on June 26, 2020.

Born in Minneapolis, MN on June 17, 1951, Mark was a graduate of Fridley High School class of 1969 and attended Anoka Technical College. Throughout his career, he worked in auto repair and computer programming. (Last year he moved to Florida with his wife, Bernadette, to build his dream home and finally live where it is warm all the time.

Mark was talented and well-loved, with quick humor, an easy laugh, and a passion for his family, athletics, and his beloved Harley. He was blessed with the skills for building and remodeling homes, fixing a car, truck, or motorcycle, repairing any kind of electrical or plumbing problems, and providing on-the-spot computer help. He built or updated several homes in his lifetime and just had palm trees planted at his new home in Florida, complete with landscape lighting.

A serious athlete with a love of adventure, he ran the Twin-Cities Marathon twice, rode his bicycle competitively, and was often found riding his Harley accompanied by Bernadette on her Harley.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 33 years, Bernadette Gerten, his beloved sons David Severson and Steve (Jessica) Severson and grandchildren Xander and Zoey. He is proceeded in death by his father, Ellery Severson, and sister-in-law Luella Severson. Mark will be greatly missed and remembered forever by his large family including; his Mother, Helen Graham, Stepfather, Keith Graham, siblings Greg (Luella) Severson, Risë Severson Kasmirski, Brian (Vicky) Severson, Kathy (Ron) Smith, and step-siblings Reah Dahl-Stammas (Knut), Kurt Graham, and Kitri Graham. He will be missed for his humor and warmth by his brother-in-law Ed (Karen) Gerten, sisters-in-law Therese (Rick) McBride, Anne Lamberty, Rita Lensing, Fran (Greg) Iverson, and Chris (Bryan) Zweier, and by many nieces and nephews.

His mother and siblings will remember him most for his easy-going style, great humor, and loving heart. Steve and David will hold close the memories of Mark teaching them sports, car repair and home improvement.  And Bernadette will forever cherish their years of partnership.

A private family memorial service will be held in Minneapolis within the next few months. Cards may be directed to Strunk Funeral Home, 916 – 17th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations in Mark’s honor to the Richard Phillips Down Biker Fund.

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