Kevin P. Doran

Kevin Patrick Doran – 77 – died Wednesday (October 21, 2015) at his home following a long illness, surrounded by his loving family.

A native and life-long resident of Hornell, he was born on December 27, 1937, to the late William and Molly Doran.

Kevin was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1955) and later graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.  He taught for several years at Hornell High School before turning his attention to radio full- time, serving as owner and general manager of WLEA and WCKR since the early 1970s.

Kevin was a life-long and active member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  He was also an Oblate of St. Benedict Abbey in Still River, MA, where his son, Fr. James, is a monk.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Stanley Doran.

He was married to Mary Margaret (Gibbs) Doran, his wife of 49 years, on February 19, 1966, who survives him.  Also surviving are his five children:  Brendan of Jersey City, New Jersey; Brian of Hornell; Fr. James (William), O.S.B., of Still River, Massachusetts; Maura (Thomas) Knoell of Phoenix, Arizona; and Andrew (Aleksandra) of Rockville, Maryland; 7 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family & friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday, (October 23, 2015) from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday (October 24, 2015) at 11:00AM at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell, with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The Doran family wishes to thank the many people who assisted him in his final illness, especially the Hornell Fire Department, the staff at St. James Hospital and at Hornell Gardens, and the many nurses and aides who assisted in his care.

It was Kevin’s wish that instead of sending flowers, family and friends request Masses celebrated for the repose of his soul.

18 Responses to “Kevin P. Doran”

  1. Jennifer Hickey says:

    Doran Family,

    I am deeply sorry for your loss. I feel blessed and privileged to have had the opportunity to spend time with your husband/father/grandfather during my Franciscan University days. Both he and Mary Margaret treated me like family since mine was so far away. Every time they came to see Maura they took me under their wing and fed me and made me smile and laugh. His beautiful humor is one of my fondest memories. You were so blessed to have such a great man as a model of faith and family.

    Our prayers of consolation are with you.

    Love,
    Jen (McInnis) Hickey

  2. Anne Graham says:

    From your Irish family…Those we Love don’t go away,they walk beside us every day,Unseen,unheard,but always near,Still Loved,still missed and very dear.”Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,Love leaves a memory no one can steal”

  3. Megan Bishop says:

    My friend is gone and I am sad.

  4. Steve Saxton says:

    Kevin was a friend, a long time friend.
    One summer in the mid-60s, a year or so before I graduated from high school, I took a summer school class on American history and a teacher named Mr. McShane was teaching. Mr. McShane told us that we would be easily fooled by communist propaganda and of course we all disagreed. So on a cigarette break between sessions, Mr. McShane had Kevin Dorn come in and take over our class for a brief while. Kevin got the discussion going by feeding us straight communist propaganda mixed with some half-truths about all of our former presidents being very wealthy. I raised a brief question about Abraham Lincoln, but he cast it aside and I didn’t pursue it. Mr. McShane had set us up and Kevin finished the deal. A little while later they both had a great laugh in our classroom as they told us we had been indoctrinated and bought the whole thing hook line and sinker. There were a lot of embarrassed faces in that class that day.
    During that same summer, Kevin called me up one day and asked me if I wanted to go for a plane ride. Well, I had never flown before so I said what the heck let’s do it. It wasn’t until sometime years later that Kevin told me he wasn’t actually a certified pilot when we all went up that day, but was still taking lessons.
    Whenever I would see Kevin and we would reminisce about the past, he always brought up that I was the only one who had caught him indoctrinating us with communist propaganda in that summer school class way back when. I would always say I had been fooled as well and he would graciously insist that I was the only one who hadn’t been. Kevin had a real knack for building your ego.
    I also remember the day that I called Kevin at the radio station informing him that a very famous conservative, political commentator who had a show on another local radio station was not going to be carried by that local station anymore. I asked him if he would bring that show on board as one of his shows. Kevin did and that show is still on his station to this day.
    One of my favorite memories of Kevin was when he would be on his show doing his political commentary with Dr. Bob Heinemann. Dr. Bob and Kevin would go at it back and forth needling and goading each other as only two very great friends can do. I will really miss that.
    The Hornell area is poorer without Kevin because he affected so many people in the area in such a positive way.
    I’ll miss him.

  5. Wayne Hoskins says:

    I feel very fortunate to have known Kevin, he was not only a great teacher, but a great friend. My condolences to his family, but just know, Kevin was fair,honest, a good personall around.

  6. Bill Dubensky says:

    To Kevin’s family and the family at WLEA my sympathies and prayers. The opportunity Kevin gave me in my 2 years working for him let me grow in my profession and I am great full to him for that. God bless.

  7. Jen and Brian Spoth says:

    Our love, prayers and condolences to your family. Kevin was a GREAT man and it was our most honored privilege to have known him. May he rest in peace.

  8. Paul Hemmer says:

    I first met Kevin in 1959 when he was a popular night time DJ on my hometown station, WDBQ in Dubuque, IA. Kevin was incredibly entertaining, hysterically funny and loaded with talent. Imagine how delighted I was when I discovered the next year that he was actually Kevin Doran and would be my American Government teacher at Wahlert High School.I not only developed my love for history and our great country through Kevin, but he also learned my interest in broadcasting. Kevin recommended me for a part time DJ job that eventually became a wonderful career for me as both a DJ and finally an owner/operator. We never lost contact with each other and remained friends through these many years. He was truly a guiding force in my early life and someone I always looked up to with great admiration and respect. From my family to Kevin’s wonderful family – our deepest sympathy. His life is one to treasure and use as an example of a fine Christian gentleman. Our love and prayers to all of you.

  9. Patrick T Crissy says:

    So sad to hear of the passing of Kevin. My father called me tonight and told me and as we hung up, it occured to me how a small handful of men in my life have earned my respect and admiration. Kevin Doran was one of those men. Loyal, caring and true, he was a good man with a good heart and he will be greatly missed.
    To his loving family, I know the pain in your hearts but it pleases me to know… that he suffers no more…that his eyes are bright from the lights of Heaven…and his spirit is at peace in the presence of our Lord!
    Thank you, Kevin for your time in my life,

    Patrick T Crissy

  10. Marcia & Jim Everett says:

    We are so sad for the whole Doran family for their loss.
    Kevin was a great boss, (I worked for him for many years), but he was also good friend to both Jim and me.
    I always have had so much respect for Kevin and his strong beliefs, he was very outspoken about his faith, which is what we need in these times. Kevin did a lot of good things for people, that he kept secret.
    He was loved by many and will be missed by all. We pray for his whole family which he truly cherished.

  11. Thomas Rigatti says:

    Kevin Doran gave me my first opportunity to work full time in radio 1993–the same year, as it turned out, that he was diagnosed with the disease that ultimately took his life.

    It is really something that he was able to live for more than 20 years after his diagnosis–and he clearly lived a full life.

    Although I only worked for Kevin for about two years, he was more than just a “boss.”

    First and foremost, I came to find out that he was a kind and generous man.

    Kevin also taught me a lot about radio, and the drive and work ethic it takes to succeed in the business.

    I also greatly admired the fact that he was always true to himself. I remember him telling me that he could have made it “in the big city” had he wanted to, but he chose to remain in Hornell because that’s where he truly wanted to be. He cared deeply about his community.

    But even more so, Kevin was devoted to his wife and family. He was a devout Catholic, and a strong believer in the church’s values and teachings. He taught me something about my own faith.

    But despite his serious side–I remember Mary Margaret once saying “he puts the world on his shoulders–” Kevin also had a great sense of humor, in addition to his intellect. Whether the topic was religion, history, or politics, his knowledge was tough to match. And here was the thing about Kevin: whether you agreed with him or not, he would give you something to think about. That was the philosopher in him.

    I can say that as a young man just getting his start in the radio business and in life, Kevin Doran made a positive impact on me, and for that, I am grateful.

    To Mary Margaret and the Doran family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Thomas Rigatti

  12. Tom Booth says:

    I first met Kevin when I was a teenager at Canisteo Central School. We did a magazine sales fundraiser and Kevin was the coordinator for Quality School Plan, a school fundraising company. I was immediately impressed with this man. A few years later, I opened my store in Canisteo and Kevin went to work for me, so to speak, as my WLEA sales rep. He applied his exceptional talent to help us grow our successful business and his visits to my store were always a delight. 22 years ago, I went to work for him at WLEA/WCKR, first as one of the sales reps and then in several other roles. It was such a pleasure to be part of this endeavor to which he devoted so much of his life. Through it all, Kevin has ALWAYS been my trusted friend. I’ll miss ya, buddy! Godspeed.

    My love and sympathies to Mary Margaret and the Doran children & grandchildren, a legacy Kevin leaves behind even larger than his iconic broadcasting career.

    Tom Booth (or “Boof” as KP preferred)

  13. Joe Cameron says:

    Kevin was a fine, and very talented, man.

    May he rest in eternal peace.

    God bless the Doran family.

  14. Tom Syseskey says:

    Requiescat in pace/May his memory be eternal.

  15. Cary Simpson says:

    Kevin called me a few weeks ago to let me know he had been told “he was terminal”. It was so sweet as we chatted….not in any emotionally sad or frantic way….but about the memories we recalled.
    I again thanked him for sending a little medal when my Wife, Betty was so ill. I pinned it to the pillow next to her head and it reminded us all that Almighty God loves everyone,,,,although we are not Roman Catholic….it’s the same Almighty God we worship, and we need in our lives every day.
    Kevin mentioned that each member of his loving family was gathering, and how much this meant to him. He was not at all morbid. Nor seeking sympathy. I listened and responded with words, although in my heart, I was sobbing and saying, I’ll miss you….I didn’t say anything at all like that.
    And when he said he had to go…I again thanked him for calling me, and mentioned as many of his loved ones as I could recall and said, “Hold Them Close”….and he disconnected.
    For the longest time after, I simply sat there, and thought of what a truly good man he was…..how loyal to “MM” and all his family….to his staff….to his God….to his country…..and I now believe that his immortal soul is with Almighty God….and there is peace in the Canisteo Valley.

    Cary Simpson

  16. Bishop A. Elias Zaidan says:

    Dear Mr. Doran & Family,

    I want to express my sincere condolences over the death of your father Mr. Kevin Doran. Know that I have been keeping your family in my prayers during this difficult time.

    In times of loss we turn to our faith that assures us that our deceased enjoy God’s everlasting joy among the saints. Now as his hearts have stopped beating on earth, it is time for Mr. Kevin Doran to enjoy eternity, the reward promised to God’s faithful servants. He will join the choir of all the righteous and just in heaven praising God and asking Him to bless you abundantly.

    I will pray asking that the Lord, in His infinite love and mercy, will grant His servant eternal rest. May He also grant many graces to you and your family during this time of loss.

    Again, with condolences and prayers, I remain,

    Yours in Christ,

    +A. Elias Zaidan
    Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon

  17. Casey Crandall says:

    Kevin was my first boss wile in HS in Canisteo working at WLEA when he took over and I learned a lot from him. It was about three years ago when I was visiting from Ca where I have been living my family bother sister too now Mom 94 that I decided to go visit him at the station and he took and hour to discuss the Hornell politics back in the day my Grandfather Harold B Crandall was the republican Mayor for two terms and that had many “spats.”

    I had to ask him listening to his now recent philosophy when he turned more republican? He told me that he had Harold he did like him were friends and got so angry at that time for the Dems trying to block some policy, the Airport at the time? not sure but was a great meeting and glad to relay this info especially to my Mom, hugged and left.

  18. Jim & Faith Palmer says:

    Our copy of the Alfred Sun arrived yesterday, here in Florida, with the sad news of the passing of our long time friend KPD. He always enjoyed his trips to Alfred to “sell” me, and worked it so we always had lunch, what good times.
    Many an hour was spent at the radio station in deep political discussions with KP, Dr. Bob and myself. I too was “privileged” to participate on air with a weekly talk show with Steve Dombert and others for many years that was such great fun, for the listening audience as well, I hope.
    Kevin will surly be missed by the Hornell community and his lovely family. May he find peace.