John Robert Doria

John Robert Doria died peacefully after a brave battle with cancer and met the new year with his pain ending. John was an amazing person with a twinkling, sly smile. He was adventuresome, kind, humble, generous, a friend and protector to many. He served in the Viet Nam war, earning a Bronze Star. John had friends of all ages and walks of life and we have heard how each loved him dearly. John attended Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, but he always said Louisville was his home.
He is survived by his mother, Louise Doria, his sisters Karen Corcoran, Nancy Smalley (David Greenwell), and Beth Doria, and nephews Jim and John (Tracey-ann) Dutz, Mark (Maria) Doria, Ryan (Jemma) Smalley and Chris (Raquel) Thielacker, nieces Andra (Anthony) Doria, Erika (Steve) Southwood, and Ashlee (Greg) Fugate and sister-in law, Debra Doria and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Doria, his brothers Chuck and David Doria and his nieces, Cindi Joy Hartman, and Laura Kathleen Smalley.
John had the ability to see beauty in all things. John was an artisan, who worked in carpentry. His passions included fishing, scuba diving, traveling, reading and music. Possessions were not important to John, yet each object he collected was elegant and unique. One never tired of looking around at his eclectic collection of hand-crafted pipes, paintings, statues, pottery, marbles, crystals, and antique furniture. John always had his feline companions by his side and will be missed by "Holmes & Miss Watson." He played the acoustic and electric guitar and enjoyed listening to great music of his generation ~ always on the threshold of a dream.
But above all, John loved spending time with his family and dear friends. "Patrick's" was the favorite gathering place where sharing of world problems, sports, friends, events, tears, and laughter took place. John loved the holidays, offering all a place to eat his fine oyster stew, crisp turkey and make memories. Family held a special place in his heart, he cherished individual moments with each family member and occasions with all family members.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Laura Kathleen Smalley Foundation, laurasmalley.com/donate or the Kentucky Humane Society, https://www.kyhumane.org/donate/
A Memorial Service will be held at 3 PM Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Rd, in St. Matthews. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1-3 PM at the funeral home.