Gary Daugherty

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Gary L. Daugherty on Sunday December 10, 2023. He struggled for 13 long years and battled with Early Onset and Lewy Body Dementia. He is now made whole again in Heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Gary was born on March 9, 1952, in Johnstown, PA, the son of the late Edwin E. and Velma A. (Hengst) Daugherty.

Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Frederick H. and Doris R. Lasher, a niece, Melisa A. Albert, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Gary is survived by his wife, Lisa A. (Lasher) Daugherty, who he married on August 6, 1988, his son, Brendan J. Daugherty and his wife, Christine A. (Carmichael) Daugherty, two grandchildren, Isla and Charles Daugherty.

He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, James and Lynn (Davidson) Daugherty, brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Kathryn (Lasher) and Michael Albert, Larry and Faith (Klobusnick) Lasher, Karen (Lasher) and Scott Duncan, Kendra (Lasher) and Scott Durfee.  Also, eight nieces, Stephanie (Sam) Herscu, Rebekah (Chris) Walsh, Rev. Michelle (Rev. Robert) Perkins, Misha (Jason) Blood, Mara (U.S. Navy Lieutenant Michael) Coughlin, Tammy (Michael) Burchill, Katarina (Ryan) Johannesmeyer, Karisa Durfee King, and nephew, Kyler Durfee. Also, seven great nieces and eight great nephews.

Gary grew up in New Paris, PA, Bedford County, where he attended school and graduated from Chestnut Ridge High School, Class of 1970. Gary was involved in many activities while in school, including Chorus, Marching Band, Concert Band, Baseball, and Basketball. Following graduation, Gary was a Park Ranger at Blue Knob State Park in the Bedford County, PA area before attending college at Shippensburg University for two years, and then transferring and graduating from Edinboro State College with a BS in Music Education in 1977.  While at Edinboro, Gary was involved in many music activities including the Madrigal Singers and was a founding father of Edinboro’s Lambda Gamma Chapter of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.

Gary was a Music and Driver Education teacher in the Northwestern School District for 35 years, retiring in 2012. He began his career teaching 5th and 6th Grade Bands at NW Elementary and West Springfield Elementary.  He then taught Music classes at the NW Jr. High/Middle School, along with Girls Chorus, the 6th Grade Choruses, and the 7th and 8th Grade Chorus. Gary also directed the Senior High Chorus, 9th through 12th Grades, at NW Senior High School along with teaching classroom Driver Education.  Gary conducted several concerts for the parents and community each year with all of his Choral groups along with his auditioned singing group, The Fantasia Singers, who were well known for their performances in and around the Erie County community. Gary was also the Advisor for the Tri-M Music Honor Society at NW, which was one of the oldest Chapters in the state of PA. It is an organization which is designed to recognize students for their academic and musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service activities, and to inspire other students to excel at music and leadership. Gary also assisted with the NW Marching Band in his early years, along with being assistant director and music director of several musicals at the school.

Gary was a member of the PMEA, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association of which he was the District 2 President, Vice-President, Second Vice-President, along with holding many other offices and committees.  Gary had the privilege to have many of his students be selected over the years to attend many PMEA District, Regional, and State Events, and a few All-Eastern Choral Events as well. Gary hosted the PMEA Jr. District Choral Festival in 1987, and the PMEA Sr. District Choral Festival in 2002 at Northwestern Senior High School.

Gary was also a member of PSEA, Pennsylvania State Education Association, and NEA, Northwestern Education Association.

Gary was an officer and coach for the Northwestern Little League for many years.  He coached Girls Big League Softball for 10 years, and helped coach Boys Baseball from T-Ball through Big League Baseball for teams that his son participated in. Gary also coached 7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball at NW Jr. High/Middle School for several years, and he participated in and headed up the Church League Basketball and Softball Leagues in the NW community for many years.

Gary performed many years at the Erie Playhouse, with many Lead Roles in several Musicals from the late 1970’s through the early 1990’s.  He was recognized for his many years of encouraging students in Music and the Performing Arts and was awarded the Doris Snell Award from the Erie Playhouse in 2018.  He also performed in many shows in the NW Summer Theater and NW Spring Dinner Theater.

Following his Retirement, Gary, along with his wife, Lisa, participated in the Senior Bowling League at Edinboro Lanes and Westway Lanes, and they attended many activities sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater PA, at Gannon, Erie Art Museum, UPMC Hamot, The Regency, and the Memory Cafe at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Erie.

Gary attended and was a member of the Fishertown Community Bible Church in Fishertown, PA growing up as a child, and then when he moved to the Northwestern Community in 1977, he attended and became a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Albion, PA where Gary directed the Choralaires Teen Choir, and participated in the Adult Chancel Choir for several years.

In 1991, Gary attended and became a member of the Federated Church in East Springfield, PA, where he also participated in the Adult Choir and performed in the Christmas and Easter Cantatas, Federated Church Christmas Musicals, the Christmas Walk at WLD Ranch, the Federated Quartet with friends Rick, Phil, Les, & Steve, the Federated Church Bible School, along with performing concerts and leading worship with his friends, John & Mike.

We want to give a special “Thank You” to all of the Staff of both the Crawford County Care Center and Interim Hospice for all of the love and care that they have shown to Gary over these last few years. Music always stayed with Gary. He was known for his daily singing and serenading his caregivers on a regular basis.

“When words fail, Music speaks.”  

                        ~ Hans Christian Andersen

Gary was well known for his involvement in school, church, and community activities in the Northwestern School District, and Erie County, but he was above all a wonderful husband and father.  He and Lisa were a team like no other, along with their son, Brendan. The three of them spent many nights setting up, decorating (and tearing down afterwards) the stage for Gary’s many concerts and performances each school year over their 35 years of marriage.  Lisa, Brendan, and Family would like to say,

“We Love You, Gary, Dad, Grandpa!!!

Thank you for the Music!!

The song has ended, but the melody will linger on in our hearts forever.”

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street East, Girard, PA on December 15th from 3:00 to 7:00 pm and on Saturday from 10:00am until the time of service at 11:00 am with nephew, Rev. Robert Perkins officiating. Burial will follow in Albion Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made in Gary’s memory to the church of your choice; the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater PA Chapter, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA. 17110 or alz.org/pa; or to the Erie Playhouse, 13 West 10th Street, Erie, PA. 16501.