News Summary
Michael Patrick Doran, Sr., a revered community leader and former Cranston resident, has passed away at the age of 90. Known for his dedication to family and community, Doran’s life was marked by active involvement in various local organizations, including the Kiwanis Club and the Knights of Columbus. He was beloved as a father, grandfather, and friend, leaving a lasting legacy of service and kindness. A funeral service is planned for the near future, with family requesting donations in memory of his late granddaughter.
Hamden, CT – Michael Patrick Doran, Sr., a former Cranston resident and beloved community leader, passed away on September 23, 2025, at the age of 90. Doran, known for his gentle spirit and profound dedication to his family and community, died peacefully in Hamden, Connecticut, where he resided in his later years.
Doran was the devoted husband of the late Marilyn Ann (Walsh) Doran, R.N. The couple was married for fifty-two years before her passing. He is survived by two children, Michael P. Doran, Jr. and his wife Christa of Hamden, CT, and Margaret M. Lembke and her husband Jeffrey of Denver, CO. He is also remembered by three of his four grandchildren: James Patrick Lembke, Livia Kate Doran, and Keira Elizabeth Doran. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Lea Ann Doran.
Born in New York City to Patrick and Mary (Sullivan) Doran, Michael Patrick Doran, Sr. moved to Newport, Rhode Island, at the age of four. He relocated to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1943. His father passed away in 1944, leaving Doran to navigate his teenage years in Newport before attending Bryant College.
In 1966, Doran married Marilyn Ann Walsh, and the couple moved to Cranston in 1971, where they raised their family. Throughout his career, he established himself within the financial industry before becoming a successful business owner and operator until his retirement. Known for his big laugh and love for storytelling, Doran enjoyed making his family and friends laugh and often shared tales that highlighted his pride in his Irish-American heritage.
A fervent participant in community activities, Doran was a dedicated member of Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston for over fifty years. His involvement extended beyond the church; he actively participated in various organizations throughout his life. Doran served as Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Providence, as well as Past Grand Knight of St. Paul’s Council Knights of Columbus in Cranston. His leadership extended to the local government as he held the position of Former Chairman of the Zoning Board of Review in Cranston.
Doran’s community service did not stop there; he was also the Past President of St. Joseph’s Men’s Guild at Immaculate Conception Church and served as the Past President of the Rhode Island Irish Ceilidhe Club. As a member of the Ireland 32 Society, he took pride in celebrating his heritage and was a founding member and fundraising chairman of the Rhode Island Irish Famine Memorial Committee.
The funeral service for Michael Patrick Doran, Sr. is scheduled for October 3, 2025, beginning at 9:00 AM at The Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home in Warwick. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston, with interment taking place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Providence. Visitation will be held on October 2, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to “The Cure Starts Now” in memory of his granddaughter, Lea Ann Doran. Doran’s legacy as a loving father, grandfather, and dedicated community leader will undoubtedly live on through the many lives he touched throughout his 90 years.
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