Francis W. Doran

Francis W. Doran, 86, a longtime resident of Braintree, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boston on December 12, 1939, he was the son of the late John L. and Frances W. (Sheehan) Doran.

Frank grew up in Dorchester, where his parents owned and operated the Doran & Doran Funeral Home at 1632 Dorchester Avenue. After earning his embalming license, he worked alongside them as a funeral director, helping to serve the families of the neighborhood.

Frank proudly served his country in the United States Navy, and those years were among the happiest of his life. His Navy days took him to ports in many countries, and his children grew up listening to countless stories of his travels and adventures at sea. They never tired of hearing them.

After the Navy, Frank built a long career with the MBTA. Retirement never quite suited a man who loved the open road, however. He went on to drive for G&W Bus Company, carrying passengers to Foxwoods and the La Salette Shrine, and later drove a school bus for the Marshfield elementary schools, greeting the town's youngest riders each morning. He also drove for Fallon Ambulance, taking patients to their medical appointments; on special occasions, he would even bring them by his own home in Braintree to view Christmas lights

Frank was an avid bird lover, and one story says everything about the kind of man he was. During the Blizzard of ‘78, he walked all the way home from work through the storm. When he finally got there, the first thing he did was fill the bird feeder, so the birds wouldn’t go hungry.

Beloved husband of Marie A. (McNeill) Doran, he was the loving father of Jeanne Hicks and her husband David of Weymouth, Deborah Comperchio and her husband Joseph of Pembroke, Francis Doran and his wife Melissa of Marshfield, and Cynthia Chesna and her late husband Michael of Hanover, and cherished grandfather of Eric and his wife Emily, Jonathan and his fiancé Samantha, Kayla and her husband Tyler, Alyssa and her husband Luke, Corey, Emily, Alexa, and Benjamin, Olivia and Jack, and greatgrandchildren Liam and Erin. Predeceased by his brothers John “Jack” Doran, Robert Doran, and Richard Doran, he leaves many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 23, 2026 at Our Lady of the Angels Church, 392 Hanover Street in Hanover at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial in the Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, by mail to: 320 Nevada Street, Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460 or online at: https://www.alz.org/manh

For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com