Edward Doran Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

On August 18, 2020, Edward H. Doran, 94, died at Lexington Park Assisted Living in Topeka, Kansas, after a long struggle with kidney cancer and dementia. His family believes he was greeted at heaven’s gate by Saint Peter who said, “Hi, Ed. I’m glad you showed up.” Ed was born on April 19, 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio. At a young age, his family moved to Highland Park, MI where he graduated from St. Benedict’s High School. After graduation, he showed up for his Country and served in WWII in the Army Corp of Engineers with stints in Okinawa and Korea. Upon returning to the States, Ed showed up to get a degree in Philosophy from the University of Detroit. He worked briefly for GE in Ann Arbor, Michigan before spending his career as a salesman for a distributor of Zenith Electronics based in Saginaw, Michigan. While not working, Ed was known to show up for a round of golf, a game of paddle ball at the local YMCA or a PTA meeting. Upon retirement, he first moved to South Bend, Indiana and then Topeka to be near his son Patrick Doran and his grandchildren. Ed and his wife Doris raised three children in Vassar, Michigan. He is survived by his daughter, Dorothy Doran Cosentino; sons, Edward Doran (Susan) and Patrick Doran (Eileen); grandchildren, Colleen Wells (Brandon), Kevin (Dani), Brian, Meredith, Faith and Delaney; great-grandchild, Brent; brother, William Doran; and sister, Sister Dorothy Doran, SMSM. He’s also survived by the family golden retriever and his companion, Nellie (aka the “Big Dog”). Whether as a brother, husband, dad or grandpa, there was not a sacrament, sporting event, recital, celebration, graduation, or time of need where he did not show up. A man of few words, despite being a traveling TV salesman, like many men of his generation Ed shared his wisdom by example — be kind, be gentle, show up even when it’s hard, rely on your Catholic faith for strength and put family first. In his later years, he lived a life of repetition to help deal with his dementia. That meant he repeatedly showed up each day at Mass, the YMCA, the Devotion Chapel at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church and for his family. At times, Ed could show up with an impish sense of humor. About a year before he died his son Patrick asked where he would like to be buried. After a moment of thought, he replied, “Why should I care, I’ll be dead.” In his final years, he was cared for with love and kindness by the staff at Lexington Park Assisted Living and Elara Caring who showed up for him. We especially thank Cherokee who he referred to as his favorite and she felt the same. The family is deeply indebted and appreciative. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 SW 17th Street, Topeka KS 66604. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks are required and social distance must be kept. If you would like to honor his memory, donations can be made to The Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (Marist), sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. After COVID is behind us, the family will gather in South Bend, where Ed will be inurned next to his wife. His gravestone will bear the inscription: He Showed Up.

Edward Doran

April 19, 1926 - August 18, 2020