Norris Dougherty

Dr. Norris Dougherty, 83, of Rockford passed away Sunday, October 5, 2014, at Swedish American Hospital. Nothing brought him greater joy than his family, with whom he shared his passion for learning and his love of travel. He touched many lives as a primary-care physician, working at Brookside Medical Center, formerly the Canfield Clinic, from 1963 until he retired in 1999.

Born in Chicago, the son of Herbert and Margaret (Goode) Dougherty, Norris was very proud of his Irish heritage. He married Marilyn Olk on January 24, 1959, in Round Lake, Illinois. Norris was a veteran serving in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve, retiring as a Captain. He also taught at the Rockford School of Medicine. After retiring, he served as a medical expert witness, advising judges on Social Security Disability cases in more than 30 states.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn. Children: Thomas (Karla) Dougherty, David (Anita Blanchard) Dougherty, Kathryn (Sam) Rosinsky, Margaret (Mark "Buzz" Swiatowiec) Dougherty, Elizabeth (Jeff Blair) Dougherty, and Michael (Joy) Dougherty. Grandchildren: Joshua (Jessica) Dougherty, Rachel (Aaron) Thomas, Sarah Dougherty, and Zachary Dougherty; Conor, Bridget, and Christopher Dougherty; Michael, Elyse, Emily, and Colin Sutherland; William Swiatowiec; Carter Blair; and Rebekah and Annie Dougherty. Great-grandchildren: Caitlin Dougherty and Eve, Elijah and Callie Thomas. Predeceased by his parents and sister, Lydia Kotchek.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 10, at Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, and will continue at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Private family burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107, or Poor Clare Corpus Christi Monastery, 2111 South Main Street, Rockford, IL 61102. To express online condolences, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.