The Southbury Record

A packed house of Southbury residents, community leaders, and elected officials gathered on Tuesday, June 23, for the inaugural James Docherty Dinner, held at the Wyndham Southbury hotel.

The event was established to honor the memory of longtime Southbury resident and community volunteer James Docherty while recognizing leadership and public service within the community.

The event was organized and hosted by Selectman Jason Van Stone to benefit the Southbury Republican Town Committee. The evening’s keynote address was delivered by State Sen. Ryan Fazio, the Republican-endorsed candidate for governor, who outlined his vision for Connecticut’s future with a focus on economic growth, affordability, government accountability, and policies aimed at retaining families and businesses within the state.

Several Republican-endorsed candidates for federal and statewide races were also in attendance, including Matt Corey, candidate for Lieutenant Governor; Chris Shea, candidate for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District; and Jen Tooker, candidate for State Comptroller.

State Representative Jason Buchsbaum joined the program and introduced State Senator Fazio before the keynote address.

The inaugural event featured a tribute to James Docherty and his lasting impact on the Southbury community. Van Stone presented flowers to Docherty’s widow, Trish Docherty, on behalf of the Southbury Republican Town Committee and the many friends and neighbors who continue to cherish Jim’s memory.

“Jim Docherty represented the very best of Southbury,” said Van Stone. “He was a man who cared deeply about his family, his friends, and his community. We wanted this dinner to celebrate the values he embodied while also recognizing those who dedicate themselves to serving others.”

The event also honored former Southbury First Selectman Jeff Manville for his years of service to the town, as well as his lifetime commitment to strengthening the Southbury community.

Van Stone said the evening exceeded expectations.

“The turnout, the energy in the room, and the support for honoring Jim’s legacy and highlighting Jeff’s work demonstrated how many lives they touched,” said Van Stone. “We look forward to building on that success for many years to come.”