Buffalo News, The (NY) - December 15, 1996

Deceased Name: JAMES F. DOCKERY, TEACHERS UNION REPRESENTATIVE

James F. Dockery, longtime representative of New York State United Teachers, died of cancer Friday (Dec. 13, 1996) in his Newfane home. He was 64.

A Lockport native, Dockery retired in 1994 after working many years as a collective-bargaining agent for the union and specialized in representing teachers in grievance procedures. He also taught in the Newfane and Kendall school systems.

He was a graduate of Lockport High School and earned a bachelor of arts in teaching from Brockport State College.

A champion of Irish unity, Dockery for many years was a member of NORAID, or Irish Northern Aid, a U.S. group that collects money for the families of those caught up in Northern Ireland's 25 years of political and sectarian warfare. He frequently kept in touch with prisoners of the strife.

Dockery was an Army veteran, serving from 1952 to 1954. He also enjoyed cross-stitching.

He was the husband of Nancie LaRuffa-Dockery.

Survivors include three daughters, Angela Mary Long and Linda Hickman, both of Lockport, and Jacqueline Conklin of Mill Hall, Pa.; a son, Robert of Lockport; his mother, Dorothy Dockery of Lockport; three brothers, Joseph of Lockport, David of Wilson and Charles of Arizona; six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Bridget's Catholic Church, 3455 Ewings Road, with prayers at 10 in Taylor & Reynolds Funeral Home Inc., Niagara and Transit streets, Lockport. Burial will be in Cold Spring Cemetery, Lockport.{rrdda}

Buffalo News, The (NY)

Date: December 15, 1996

Edition: FINAL