From The Boston Herald American, January 6, 1977

Peter Clotherty, 53, ex-Representative

Former state Rep. Peter J. Cloherty, 53, of Brighton, a member of the Electoral College, died yesterday in St. Elizabeth's Hospital.

He served two terms in the House from the Brighton district, and after his defeat for re-election in the 1962 Democratic primary, was appointed director of the legislative commission on Massachusetts participation in the New York World's Fair of 1964-1965.

Mr. Cloherty formerly served at Boston City Hall on the staff of Mayor James M. Curley and then as secretary to William F. Hurley when the latter was president of the BOston City Council.

He attracted nationwide attention during the 1952 Democratic National Convention in CHicago, attending as a member of the Democratic State Committee.

A fire started on the floor of the convention hall and Cloherty--always ready to take command no matter what the situation--grabbed the microphone and averted possible panic by calming the assembly.

The govenor of Oklahoma subsequently honored him for the action by appointing him as an honorary colonel on his staff.

In recent years he was a public relations consultant. In 1974 he was associated with C.E. Maguire Inc. of Waltham which prepared an environmental impact study on the JFK Library-Museum complex planned for the Harvard Sq., Cambridge area.

Mr. Cloherty was a veteran of World War II, Past Grand Knight of the Allston Council of Knights of Columbus, a member of the Allston-Brighton post of the American Legion and a member of the Boston chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.

He leaves his wife Marie V. (Ryan) Cloherty; five children, Peter J. Jr., Mark R., Joan M., Marie L., and Elizabeth A., all of Brighton, and two sisters, Sally A. DeCroteau of Melrose and Mary Cardinal of Watertown.

He was the son of Sarah M. (Clasby) and the late Peter P. Cloherty.

A Mass will be celebrated at 10, Saturday, in St. Ignatious CHurch, Chestnut Hill. Internment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Brighton.

Arrangements are by Carley Funeral Home, Allston.