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PITTSTON — John J. Dougherty will serve as principal speaker for the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick 101st annual banquet. “Jonny Doc,” a champion of Irish causes, is an Irish-American and Philadelphian and serves as the business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98.
The 101st annual banquet will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 at The Woodlands Inn & Resort, Route 315, Plains.
This year’s banquet will also include a sports memorabilia silent auction conducted by Whip Fundraising featuring local college and professional items.
Cost is $75 per person and $50 for those under 21 years of age. Tickets are available from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. any Wednesday at the Knights of Columbus home in Pittston or by contacting any active member of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
John J. Dougherty
The Dougherty clan arrived from County Donegal at the turn of the 20th century and settled in the tight-knit Pennsport community in South Philadelphia. Several generations found work at the nearby sugar refinery.
John, the oldest of three children born to John and Theresa Dougherty, was born into his ancestors’ home where they lived with 11 aunts and uncles of the Darby and Daly clans, who had all emigrated to the United States from Ireland. John raised his eldest daughter, Erin, in that very house and still lives not far from the place of his birth.
In addition to being one of Philadelphia’s most well-known and respected labor leaders, John’s love of Ireland has led to a lifetime of commitment to Irish causes. The following are just some of his notable achievements in service to Philadelphia’s vast and proud Irish-American community:
• John was named Grand Marshal of the 2012 Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The theme of his campaign was “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” during which he distributed 5,000 copies of the book of that title by Thomas Cahill.
• John was instrumental in helping to build and continue to maintain the acclaimed National Irish Famine Memorial at Penn’s Landing.
• He serves on the board of the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Committee.
• He was inducted into the Philadelphia Irish-American Hall of Fame.
• John’s union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, is a long-time lead sponsor of Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
• IBEW Local 98 is also a major supporter of the Maynooth Society, which raises funds to support St. Patrick’s College, Ireland’s national seminary.
• John was recently named one of the “Top 50 Irish-American Labor Leaders” in the United States by The Irish Echo national newspaper.
• John’s unwavering support of the city’s Irish-American community was the subject of a cover story in The Irish Edition newspaper.
• John has raised significant donations for Sinn Fein and is very supportive of the peace process in Northern Ireland.
• Under John’s direction, IBEW Local members have rewired numerous Catholic churches and schools in Philadelphia.
• Every year, IBEW Local 98 awards many scholarships to deserving young students in the city, many of whom are of Irish descent.