Judge Robert Doran

1930 - 2018

Judge Robert Doran passed away on January 15, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Born on June 5, 1930 in Rochester, New York, his family moved to Albany, where he graduated from Vincentian Institute in 1948, Siena College in 1955, and Albany Law School in 1957. US Air Force service during the Korean War interrupted college from 1950 to 1954. In 1957, he married the former Joan Premo, and together they had five children.A lifelong resident of his beloved Capital District, Bob practiced law for many years, first working in Albany at Newkirk Associates in legal publications. He moved his family to Clifton Park in 1963 and became Town Justice in 1967. He initiated and oversaw the formation of the Saratoga County Sewer District. In 1971, Bob opened a law practice, which ultimately became Carola, Doran, Grogan & Heggen, as well as a legal publishing business, Doran Publications. In 1978, he was elected to Saratoga County's Surrogate Court and served until 1985 when he was elected to the New York Supreme Court, serving in both the Fourth Judicial District and in New York County until 1993. He was also Acting County Court Judge for major felony cases in Saratoga, Schenectady, and Westchester Counties; Acting County Court Judge for civil cases in Saratoga, Schenectady and Westchester Counties; and Acting Family Court Judge in Saratoga and Warren Counties. Bob also spent a substantial part of his time acting as arbitrator and mediator for hundreds of personal injury cases. Blessed with a brilliant mind and devoted to the law and his work, Bob finished his career at Thorn Gershon Tymann & Bonnani, LLP, retiring only one year before he passed. Recipient of numerous legal awards over the course of his career, Bob was particularly honored to receive the President's Award of the Schenectady Bar Association in 2013, which then had only been given three times in the institution's more than 100-year history, and where he was identified as "one of the legal giants of our time." Known for his deep humility, generosity, constancy, approachable demeanor and his widely acknowledged understanding and recollection of many aspects of the law, Judge Doran accomplished much in behalf of the people he served, including clearing the calendars in all the courts where he worked over the years. His work ethic was legendary, and he applied himself with dedication and creativity. Hand in hand with his love of the law was his love of politics. A longstanding member of the Republican Party, Bob served as Interim Saratoga County GOP Chairman in 1976. He served as a committee person and remained active in politics throughout his life. Bob also served on the Board of the Birch Run Homeowners Association until his death.Loyal and committed to his family and good friends, Judge Doran looked forward to his well-entrenched, decades-long routines, including early-morning breakfasts at the same location and a weekly poker game with his friends. It didn't matter whether or not you called him, he still called you, to hear your voice and offer support. Bob especially loved the Saratoga Racetrack, the New York Yankees, and Cape Cod (but, for Bob, it wasn't so much the place as it was the people, his family, whom he looked forward to seeing every year).Bob was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Doran of Albany, NY; his only sibling, Joseph Doran of Rochester, NY, and his son, Thomas of Clifton Park, NY.He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years (Joan); four children, (Vicki, Julie, Jim, and Mark) and his 13 grandchildren. Calling hours will be Sunday, January 21, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 followed by a prayer service from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Burial with military honors will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 22 at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871.Flowers may be sent to Burke Funeral Home. Alternatively, contributions may be made to the Saratoga Hospital Foundation, 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

View the online memorial for Judge Robert Doran