Thomas William Doran, Jr. (Tom) was called home to God on May 15, 2024, at 78 years old, after a courageous battle with cancer, fought with positivity and grace. He passed as he wished, at home with family by his side.
Tom was born to Mary A. (nee Skroski) Doran and Thomas W. Doran on November 20, 1945, in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up in Newark and Monroe Township, New Jersey, and he attended Jamesburg High School. He is a proud alumnus of Monmouth University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in High Elementary Education in 1967 and his Master of Science in Elementary Education in 1972. He resided in Wanamassa, Ocean Township.
In addition to being a loving brother and uncle and a dedicated friend, Tom was one who got great satisfaction in helping people, most notably in his choice to become a teacher. Tom was a dedicated fourth grade teacher at Wall Central School in Wall Township for thirty-three years until his retirement in 2001. Tom always felt that children should be treated with respect, and their feelings and opinions have as much value as those of adults.
Tom relished his life at the Jersey Shore. He worked with The Center in Asbury Park for many years. He loved to play the piano and ride his bike in his neighborhood and to the Asbury Park boardwalk, where he could look out to forever in the Atlantic Ocean. Tom loved to garden, and particularly loved to cultivate orchids, roses, and other plants. An avid traveler in his younger years throughout Europe, he never missed an opportunity to learn about new places, cultures, and people. Tom finally made a trip to Ireland in 2022 with family to meet his cousins and see where his grandmother was born. Tom was a lifelong learner.
Tom had an unwavering faith in God. He regularly attended services throughout the years at local churches including St. Anselm in Tinton Falls, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Asbury Park, Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven, and most recently Trinity Church in Asbury Park, where he attended bible class and book club, and helped assemble weekly bulletins for parishioners. His Catholic faith, coupled with his ever-present positive outlook on life and genuine faith in people made him a pleasure to have as a family member or friend.
Tom is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Mary, his sister Barbara McManamy (nee Doran) and brother-in-law Russell McManamy, and his niece Ellen. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved brother Richard and his wife Alma (Monroe Township), and his brother William and wife Betty (Virginia). He is also survived by his niece Karen Ann Lenahan (Shawn), Fair Haven, nephew Kevin Doran (Dawn), Cream Ridge, and many other nieces and nephews.; as well as his great nieces and nephews Shawn (Elizabeth), Brian (Renee), Kevin (Abigail), and Fiona Lenahan, and Taylor and Kevin Doran; and his great-great nephew Ronan Lenahan, as well as many other nieces and nephews.
Friends and family will be received at Thompson Memorial Home in Red Bank, NJ, on Monday, May 20, from 4:00 to 7:00pm. Tom will be celebrated in a funeral Mass of celebration at Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven on Tuesday, May 21 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Collier Youth Servies; 160 Conover Road; Wickatunk, NJ 07765, or www.collieryouthservices.org.
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