Jim Doherty Passes; Arrangements Set

Published: March 14, 2015 08:21 pm EDT

Trot Insider has learned that Harness Racing Hall of Fame horseman James Francis 'Jim' Doherty passed away peacefully at Villa Marie Claire Hospice in New Jersey on March 14, 2015 at the age of 74.

Doherty, a native of Saint John, New Brunswick, was a top Meadowlands driver for decades and developed numerous champions including $3 million earner Fools Goal, who was named the 2002 U.S. Trotter of the Year, as well as 1997 Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year No Nonsense Woman, and Starchip Entrprise, winner of the Valley Victory and Canadian Trotting Classic in the late 1990s. He also drove Green With Envy, two-time Older Pacing Mare of the Year in 1984 and 1985. Throughout his career, Doherty drove winners of 4,620 races and nearly $39 million in purses.

Doherty was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York in 2003. He was also a member of the New England Harness Writers Hall of Fame, New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame, and the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame.

His illustrious career began in 1955, and with support from his father and the late Milton Downey, he quickly became a leading driver in Atlantic Canada. Doherty went on to enjoy success on the tough Foxboro and Rockingham circuit before relocating to The Meadowlands when it opened in 1976. Doherty earned over $1 million in purses as a driver for the next 15 consecutive years.

He was named the Glen Garnsey Memorial Trainer of the Year in 2002 and was also named the New Jersey Sports Writers Association's Man of the Year in 2007.

Known as a true gentleman and consistent producer of top racehorses, Doherty remained active in harness racing driving winners up until 2013 and had trained back $700,000 earner Whata Winner this year.

Doherty is survived by his wife, Marianne (Cinek) Doherty and sons James Francis III (Jodie) and Michael Erin Doherty; grandchildren Christopher, Laura, Jamie, Cadence and Clancy; brother William (Rita); sisters Mary Murphy (William), Martina Shannon (Donald), Patricia Loughery (Merrill), Anne Gilbride (Paul) and Evelyn Doherty; sister-in-law Roxanne Doherty; numerous nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; mother-in-law Lillian Cinek and sister-in-law Christina MacGilvray (Scott).

He was predeceased by parents James Francis Doherty and Anna Mary (Clancy) Doherty; and his younger brothers Peter and Paul.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 20 at 10:15 a.m. at the Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Ave., Clifton with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle RC Church, 400 Mt. Prospect Ave., Clifton. Private cremation to follow with interment of ashes to follow at a later date.

Visitation will be Wednesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both days. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit www.bizub.com for driving directions and online condolences.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jim Doherty.

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