MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF PHILIP AMBROSE DORAN, SENIOR
WHEREAS, Philip "Phil" Ambrose Doran, Sr., beloved husband, adored father and grandfather, and champion of his community, passed away on September 18, 2020, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Phil's passing by the honorable Matthew J. O'Shea, Alderman of the 19th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Born on November 6, 1940, Phil was a lifelong resident of Christ the King parish in North Beverly on the City's Southwest Side, attending Christ the King School for elementary school where he met his future wife, Mary I. Scanlon, in the 6th grade; Phil went on to graduate from St. Ignatius High School and John Carroll University, and completed his law degree at Northwestern University in 1965; and
WHEREAS, A successful trial lawyer, Phil was an extraordinary orator and wowed juries with his sharp wit, but his legal talent came second to his passion for helping others; this passion led Phil to leave a law firm in the Loop to focus his legal career on helping those in need, with a certain principle in his heart: no overhead; and
WHEREAS, Many organizations in the City benefitted from Phil's boundless compassion and tireless devotion, including St. Vincent DePaul, Precious Blood Ministries, Misericordia, the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center, and Franciscan Outreach; Phil gathered donations for all of the organizations he worked with, from food to furniture, and gave most generously from his own treasure; and
WHEREAS, At Franciscan Outreach, an organization his mother introduced him to, Phil served his friends in need in every capacity, from meal volunteer to Chairman of the Board; he also recruited scores of volunteers during the thirty plus years of his commitment, including most of the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Phil's focus was always on others - beginning with his family and extending through his neighborhood, he connected and built lasting relationships that changed peoples' lives for the better; his many accomplishments include advocating for a new park playground, furnishing apartments for those in need, helping with job placements, and serving as a role model for at-risk youth; and
WHEREAS, Phil was the "Godfather" of his neighborhood, and no one escaped his good-natured wit, wisdom, attention, or generosity; he and his wife Mary I. were the center of a remarkable group of friends, parishioners, and community members that have helped make Beverly the vibrant community it is today; and
WHEREAS, Phil and Mary I. were married for 55 years and raised five children who also attended Christ the King School; Phil's children proclaim he was the best of dads, and his devotion to his deceased son Philip was inspirational to the entire family; and
WHEREAS, Phil will be fondly remembered by his beloved wife Mary I. (nee Scanlan) Doran; his children, John (Jennifer), Edmund "Ned", Margaret (Jeff) Pezza, and Elizabeth (Patrick) Sheedy; his sister, Maryrita (John) Peters; his 10 grandchildren, Margaux, Mairead, and Jameson Doran, Luke, Andrew, David, Mary Irene and Margaret Grace Pezza, and Charlotte and Caroline Sheedy, who so lovingly and proudly called him "Pop"; his 17 nieces and nephews, and 44 grandnieces and grandnephews who knew him as "Uncle Philly"; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this sixteenth day of November, 2020, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Philip Ambrose Doran, Sr.; and
MATTHEW J. O'SHEA Alderman, 19th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Philip Ambrose Doran, Sr. as a sign of our honor and respect.