Michael T Dougherty, 67, of Roswell, died peacefully at home on Friday, April 14, 2023.
Michael was born on May 19, 1955, the oldest son of the late Nancy and John Dougherty. Michael moved to Boston in 1976 to attend Northeastern University and always thought of Boston as “home” once he arrived. Michael loved much in his life from tailgating at Penn State, watching his Islanders and beloved Northeastern Huskies Hockey Team, blue fishing off Cape Cod, sitting on his 4th floor deck at Blue Mountain Beach, and summers in Kennebunk, Maine. Michael loved to talk about sports with anyone, be with those he loved and treasured, and have a good burger and a cold 30A beer on his deck with his wife, Lynne and their 3 dogs- Rosie, Molly, and Mickey. You never had to guess about what Michael was thinking, and he might appear gruff—but once you got to know him, he had the hugest heart and all you had to do was start talking about your dog and he and you were friends from that day on.
Michael and his loving wife, Lynne, built together an amazing life over the past 32 years. A friend shared their relationship was what Kurt Vonnegut termed “duprass- a pair who are like binary stars revolving around the universe and yet, connected at the same time.” His siblings Karen Ramacca and Kingsley (Phyllis) Dougherty, his nephew Matthew (Chelsea) Ramacca and niece Lisa (Justin) Allen and his Ross family of Wendy, Craig and Linda, Scott and Jo, CJ, John, and Emma will miss him greatly. His family in Scotland and Australia, his friends whether from Boston, sporting events, his home in Roswell, or his favorite vacation spots of 30A or Kennebunk, his dog rescue connections or wherever they met him on his path still can’t believe he isn’t sending one of his texts about what he thought could fix the world or an update on a sporting event.
Michael attended Northeastern University and truly believed the Co-op Program gave him the direction he needed for his life’s success, and graduating with a Masters from American University later in life further enhanced his business and real estate knowledge. Michael was a successful salesman for many years, and then ventured into his first owned business of a Dunkin Donuts—he quickly learned the Northeast drinks more coffee than the South, so he pivoted and leased the store to become a Papa John’s and then began his expertise in building his own businesses in rental homes and storage facilities. His life truly changed in 2006 when he read a story about a puppy in a shelter that was going to be euthanized, and he got into his car and drove 90 minutes to go rescue “Bella” and gifted her to a friend, and began to save 1 dog at a time and borrowed a van and rescued 23 dogs and drove them to Maine to be adopted. Puppy Pipeline Rescue of GA was launched where the motto for all rescued is “We are Going Home”. In the past 17 years Puppy Pipeline with Michael’s vision and leadership, an amazing benefactor and a dedicated crew of drivers and shelters across the East Coast and Midwest has rescued 40,000 plus dogs and cats, and even a few hamsters. Puppy Pipeline was truly Michael’s greatest joy and accomplishment in life.
Michael loved history, especially WWII history. He respected and admired the traits of the “Greatest Generation” and lived by their principles: personal responsibility, integrity, work ethic, faithful commitment, financial prudence, and humility. He was an exceptional friend and always available to his friends no matter what. He is also known as “Uncle Mike” to his nieces and nephews and so many young people who looked up to him for his wisdom, guidance, and support. He never took himself too seriously and he loved to laugh.
A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors at 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA. The funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 11330 Woodstock Road, Roswell, GA immediately followed by a lunch and sharing “Michael Moments” at McNamee Hall at St Peter Chanel Catholic Church. Michael will be “going home” to Boston where we will have a funeral service on Monday, June 5, 2023, at 10:30am at Our Lady Help of Christians, 573 Washington Street, Newton, MA, with interment immediately following at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut Street, Newton, MA. The family will host a luncheon (location TBD) where we will share some more “Michael Moments”.
In lieu of flowers, and if so inclined, please contribute to important causes Michael was passionate about:
• Northeastern University: The Lynne and Michael Dougherty ’79 Bootstrap Scholarship established in 2018 supports students with financial need in the D’Amore-McKim School of Business who are participating in the co-op program and first-generation college students. Gifts may be sent to Northeastern University, 402 Columbus Place, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-5005 or made on the Northeastern Giving website: https://giving.northeastern.edu/live/profiles/1342-lynne-and-michael-dougherty-79-bootstrap
Puppy Pipeline Rescue of GA: Checks made payable to Puppy Pipeline Rescue of GA at 3321 Trickum Road, Woodstock, GA 30188.
To share a memory or condolences, you can access Michael's digital guestbook here:
https://www.northsidechapel.com/obituaries/Michael-Dougherty-7/#!/TributeWall