John Doran

Attorney John H. Doran, 89, of Hanover Township, passed away Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

Born Dec. 13, 1935, in Hanover Township, he was a son of the late Henry and Anna Sabalesky Doran.

John spent his youth working on the family dairy farm. He graduated from Hanover High School in the Class of 1953. John continued his education at Wilkes University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1957. He then enrolled in the Villanova University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1960. After law school, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves, where he first trained as a wheeled vehicle mechanic, and then was posted to assist in the JAG Corps.

Attorney Doran began his legal career in Wilkes-Barre with his uncle, the late Attorney Robert J. Doran. After his uncle's death, he continued working in several law firms, including Flanagan, Doran, Biscontini, and Shaffer. He later formed Doran & Doran, PC, in practice with his daughter Lisa until his retirement. Assisting at the firm were his wife, Margaret, and Eileen Eustice.

John began a general civil practice, but early on focused on the area of bankruptcy law. Throughout his career, he represented numerous consumers and businesses in bankruptcy cases. He was the attorney for the petitioning creditors at the filing of the Blue Coal bankruptcy case and later spent years representing the bankruptcy trustee in that matter. John served for many years as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee, lectured on bankruptcy law, and was a federal mediator for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He mentored many young lawyers and was always ready to assist his colleagues. He was a past volunteer with the Luzerne County Mortgage Diversion Program and Debt Conciliation Program, and co-chair of the Luzerne County Bar Association Fee Dispute Committee. In earlier years, he was the solicitor for the Hanover Area School District.

Throughout his life, John enjoyed his hobby of woodworking. He was always taking on new home improvement projects and put two additions onto his house by himself. He enjoyed working outdoors, tending to his blueberry bushes, and mowing the lawn. In past years, John traveled throughout the eastern U.S. on family road trips and was fortunate to visit Ireland to see the towns where his paternal grandparents were born. He was a lifelong fan of Notre Dame football.

John will always be remembered as a storyteller, with tales passed down from his father, stories of life on the farm, and interesting tales from his life and legal practice.

John was a member of the Church of St. Aloysius and the Parish of St. Robert Bellarmine in Wilkes-Barre. For years, he volunteered with the Diocese of Scranton Pre-Cana program. From a young age to the end of his life, he prayed the rosary almost every day.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert J. Doran; sisters, Margaret Krupinski and Anne Doran Smith; and nephew, Robert L. Doran.

John is survived by his wife of 61 years, the former Margaret Watkins; children, Atty. Lisa M. Doran of Hanover Township; Dr. John J. and his wife, Marilee Doran, of Atlanta, Ga.; Patrick J. and his wife, Sonal Doran, of Vienna, Va.; and Atty. Jennifer V. Doran of Boston, Mass.; grandchildren, Rachel, Rebecca, Amy, Meera, and Niall Doran; brother, James, and his wife, Theresa Doran; sister, Jean Doran; brother-in-law, Kenneth Krupinski; and nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

His family would like to thank his family doctor, Patrick Kerrigan; his home care manager, Mary Erwine; all his caregivers, including Lasha and Juju; and many others, for their assistance in his final years.

John reassured us many times that he had a great life.

Celebration of John's life begins Wednesday, Nov. 12, with a visitation from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at McLaughlin's, 142 S. Washington St. in Wilkes-Barre. It continues there on Thursday, Nov. 13, with a gathering at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in the Church of St. Aloysius, Barney and Division Streets in Wilkes-Barre.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Parish of St. Robert Bellarmine to honor John's memory or to the charity of one's choice.

Share memories and condolences with John's family at mjmclaughlin.com.