James R. Doherty

James R. (Jim) Doherty, 57, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2016, at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick. Jim was born in Teaneck on Dec. 5, 1958, to the late James A. and Catherine (West) Doherty. Jim was raised in Northvale, N.J., and moved to Sussex County in 1986. He resided in Wantage for 29 years.
Jim was employed by the Township of Wantage as Administrator/Clerk for more than 15 years. Previously he worked for Chester Boro in Morris County, Franklin Boro in Sussex County and Northvale Boro in Bergen County. Prior to entering the field of local government, he taught history at St. Joseph’s High School in Montvale, N.J.
Jim attended Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan & was a 1980 graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
In 1988, Jim received the Certified Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. He also was a certified public manager, a certified public works manager, and a certified registrar of vital statistics. In 2007, he earned the designation of Master Municipal Clerk, representing the highest certification in the world for municipal clerks. He also held certifications as qualified purchasing agent and certified recycling coordinator. No other person in the history of the State of New Jersey has ever held all these certifications simultaneously. In 2011, he was honored as Clerk of the Year for the state of New Jersey..
Jim was also a coadjutant professor for Rutgers University. He was respected as a humble, unassuming, and hard working professional, and was locally known as the “Election Law Guru”.
Jim was the beloved husband for almost 30 years to Allison (Henshaw) Doherty, and the devoted father to Justine & James P. Doherty. His dedication and love of family was second to none. He was the loving brother to Catherine and Gerard Johnson of Northvale, Patricia Doherty of Northvale, Martin and Lynn Doherty of West Milford, Michael & GloriaAnn Doherty of West Milford, David and Nancy Doherty of Miller Place N.Y., and MaryEllen and Joseph Malley of Westwood, and brother-in-law to George Henshaw, III, of Cragsmoor N.Y., Lark Henshaw of Westwood, Doug & Karen Henshaw of Murphy N.C., William and Louanne Henshaw of Norwood, Michael and Cynthia Henshaw of Warwick, N.Y., and Donald and Joyce Henshaw of Rock Tavern, N.Y.. He is also survived by his loving father-in-law, George F. Henshaw Jr. of Pompton Plains; and 35 beloved nieces and nephews, as well as extended relations both here and in Ireland.
The family received visitors at Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, 241 Route 94 (GPS use 1 Vanderhoof Ct.), Vernon on Saturday, April 9 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 8:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, N.J. Chapter, 14 Commerce Dr., Cranford, NJ 07016 or on-line at LLS.org.
For directions and condolences please go to www.fergusonfuneralhomesnj.com.