Jim passed away peacefully at Brightshores Hospital in Meaford on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the age of 89, with his children by his side.
Born in Meaford on January 23, 1937, Jim was the son of the late Clarence and Mildred (nee Hopps) Doherty. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Betty (nee Miller) Doherty on December 21, 2022. Jim was the proud and supportive father of Kathy Freiburger (Les) of Paisley, Mike Doherty (Kelly) of Meaford, and Tracy van Aalst (Gord, predeceased) of Meaford. He was the treasured grandfather of Deanna Freiburger and was predeceased by his grandson Jeff Freiburger.
Jim will be missed by his sister-in-law Dianne Rowles (Bill, predeceased). He was predeceased by his sisters Nancy Weatherall (Larry) and Beth Green, sisters-in-law Marie McKibbon-Bell (Stanley, Douglas), Florence Brinkman-Johansen (Garnet, Eivind), and brother-in-law Keith Miller (Velma). He will be remembered fondly by his nieces, nephews, and their families.
Jim was a master tradesman and worked for many years as the Head Mechanic at Smith Tire Service on Nelson Street. He could fix anything, including farm equipment and machinery, school buses, dump trucks, bulldozers, and any type and year of automobiles.
He enjoyed the outdoors, including snowmobiling with Betty and their friends, in addition to long distance motorcycle tours on one of his many beloved Gold Wings. He and his friends took numerous motorcycle trips across both Canada and the United States.
After retirement, Jim delighted in puttering around his house, ensuring his home was well attended and that his lawn and yard were always beautifully maintained and cared for.
Jim will be warmly remembered by his family and friends as someone who was always available for a chat, to offer advice, and was ready to help, in any way necessary.
Private family arrangements at this time. Interment to take place at Lakeview Cemetery in the summer of 2026.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Brightshores Meaford Hospital Foundation would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
