Wister Harvey “Barney” Dougherty was a true Cape May local.
Chances are, if you ask anyone in Cape May about Barney Dougherty, they are going to have a story or two to tell you.
Barney Dougherty, 94, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on March 31, 2026. He was born to Wister H. Dougherty and Catherine N. Dougherty above what is now the Fudge Kitchen, on Christmas Day 1931. He was the youngest of three children.
He attended Star of the Sea Elementary School and graduated from Cape May High School. He served in the United States Coast Guard, starting in 1950. He had a love of sports and was a member of the Cape May Rockets semi-professional football team.
In his early career, he worked in the Cape May Post Office. After that he worked with his mother, Catherine, in the family real estate business, Sol Needles Agency, which he later took over and passed down to his children and grandchildren.
In addition to being a veteran of the Coast Guard, Barney was actively involved in local politics, eventually holding the position of general manager of the Cape May County Bridge Commission.
Barney was a man of many hobbies as well. He loved to fish, hunt and play golf. He also loved the salt marshes and has carved many wooden waterfowl and railbirds.
None of that meant as much to him as his two true passions and loves, his service and dedication to the Cape May Fire Department and, most importantly, to his family.
No one embodied the spirit of the Cape May Fire Department more than he did, having been a member for more than 70 years and the volunteer chief for 25 years.
His undying love for his wife, Joy, his four daughters, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren was his passion in life. There wasn’t a day that went by that he did not tell anyone who would listen how lucky he was to have Joy in his life and how much he missed her every day after her passing.
Together, they raised four daughters and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who strive to carry on his legacy. Barney is pre-deceased by his wife Joy Dougherty, daughter Lisa Muller and his great-granddaughter Alannah Ferguson. He is survived by his daughters Lori (Rob) Jepson, Lynn (Austin) Gleeson and Kim (Phil) Tomlin; grandchildren Chris (Kacie) Bezaire, Lauren (Mike) Bezaire, Katie (Taylor) Jepson, Bob (Karly) Gleeson, Mike (Kelly) Gleeson, Haley (Jake) McMillan and Kasey (Richie) Playford; and great-grandchildren Connor, Taylor, Zander, John, Austin, Emma, Charlotte, Lily-Joy and Noah.
A viewing is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 9 at Spilker Funeral Home, 815 Washington St. in Cape May, and 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. April 10 at Our Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 525 Washington St., with Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 1:45 p.m. Interment will follow at Cold Spring Cemetery in Lower Township.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Visit spilkerfuneralhome.com to share condolences.
