Dr. Ronald E. Doiron Jr.

Dr. Ronald E. Doiron

Distinguished Musician, Educator, and Conductor

Naples, Florida

Dr. Ronald E. Doiron, a profoundly gifted and dedicated musician, educator, and choral conductor, passed away in Naples, Florida on Saturday, July 12, 2025. His extraordinary life was marked by an enduring commitment to sacred music, education, and the transformative power of the arts.

A native of California, Dr. Doiron earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Southern California, graduating with departmental honors. He also completed extensive graduate work at Claremont Graduate School and the University of Southern California, and held a Bachelor of Music degree, magna cum laude, from Chapman University. His scholarly focus included organ performance, choral conducting, church music, vocal pedagogy, and music history. Dr. Doiron studied with leading pedagogues in organ Catherine Crozier, Harold Gleason, Cherry Rhodes, Ladd Thomas, Norberto Guinaldo, and choral conductors Rodney Eichenberger, Dr. William Hall, Dr. James Vail and Hans Beer.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Doiron served as Director of Music Ministries and Organist at numerous esteemed religious institutions, including St. Monica's Episcopal and St. Mark's Episcopal in Southwest Florida, Church of the Assumption and First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Corpus Christi Church in Pacific Palisades, as well as numerous synagogues. He was equally at home across denominations, bringing deep spiritual and musical insight to each setting.

In the concert and academic arenas, Dr. Doiron's influence was equally profound. He held key positions as Founding Music Director of Opera Naples, Artistic Director of The Bach Ensemble, and Conductor of the Naples Orchestra and Chorus. His teaching career included appointments as Professor of Music at Florida South Western College, Associate Professor and Program Chair at the Community College of Allegheny County, and faculty roles at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and St. John's Seminary in Los Angeles.

As an accomplished organist, Dr. Doiron performed over 100 recitals throughout the United States and Europe, including appearances at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. He was a featured soloist on the recording La Rejouisance and frequently collaborated with ensembles as conductor, accompanist, and vocal coach.

Dr. Doiron shared his expertise through workshops and lectures at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, National Association of Pastoral Musicians, and various universities. His writing on church music, vocal pedagogy, and liturgical practice appeared in numerous publications, reflecting both scholarly rigor and practical application.

His passion for service extended beyond performance and education. He founded the St. Joseph Choir and Orchestra in Los Angeles to support the St. Joseph Center for the underserved, and led numerous benefit concerts for hospice care and addiction recovery.

A life member of Pi Kappa Lambda and the American Guild of Organists, Dr. Doiron also served in leadership roles within professional music and liturgical organizations. His legacy lives on through the many students he mentored, choirs he led, and congregations he inspired.

Dr. Ronald E. Doiron leaves behind a legacy of musical excellence, spiritual depth, and generous service-a true testament to the sacred vocation of music in community life.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 21, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. Monica's Episcopal Church, 7070 Immokalee Rd. Naples, FL 34119 with a service starting at 1:30 p.m. Entombment and then a reception will follow at Palm Royale Cemetery, 6790 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. Naples, FL 34119.

To ensure your generosity and support are acknowledged, Dr. Doiron had personally requested that memorial contributions be made IN MEMORY OF DR. RONALD E. DOIRON JR. to Avow Hospice Music Therapy Services at www.avowcares.org/donate or by mail to 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.