Obituary of Dr. Michael G. Moran, DDS

Dr. Michael G. Moran DDS (Mike) (known fondly to many as Doc Moran) of Florham Park, NJ passed away peacefully on Monday, January 29, 2024.  He was 95.

Mike was born September 4, 1928, in Wilkes-Barre, PA to Frank and Gerarda (Towle) Moran.  A year later, the family moved to 6 Rainbow Terrace in West Orange, NJ, where they lived for many years.  He attended Our Lady of Lourdes in West Orange and Seton Hall Prep High School, graduating in June 1943.  He attended St. Bonaventure University, where he was president of his Sophomore Class.  Due to his excellent grades and entrance exam results, he was accepted early into Temple Dental School, where he graduated in June 1952. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force as an officer and proudly served in the Korean War as a Captain. Following his years in service, he completed his medical internship at Kings County College Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, where he enjoyed watching many baseball games at Ebbets Field.  

Dr. Moran opened his oral surgery office in Morristown in 1958, serving on staff at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Serving as a clinical instructor in oral surgery, he taught at Temple Dental School for years while in practice.  He retired from practice in the mid 1990s.

Mike was proudly named “Young Irishman of the Year” by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of The Oranges in March 1958.  He enjoyed going to the annual St. Patrick’s Dinner each year with his three sons, son-in-law, brother and nephews at Mayfair Farms in West Orange.

Mike married the love of his life, Rosemary Nolan, in 1964 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in West Orange.  They originally lived in Chatham, NJ and moved to Florham Park, NJ, where they lived for the last 57 years (52 years at 11 Parker Court).  He was a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Florham Park, faithfully attending daily mass.   Preceding him in life was his older brother Frank and sister Sarah (Sally), and he is survived by his brother Gerry of New Providence, NJ.  Mike is also survived by his 6 children - Mary Carole Kenney and her husband Bill, Michael Moran Jr. and his wife Colleen, John Moran and his wife Brenda, Joseph Moran and his wife Lisa, Teresa Anroman and her husband Bill and Deborah Ehrenbeck and her husband John.  Mike is also survived by 18 Grandchildren – Brittany (husband Gene), Scott, Sarah, Jack, Heather, Michael III, Andrew, Charlie, Kayley, Chris, Cathleen, James, Keira, Erin, Shay, Conor, Nolan, and Emily.

Mike was a very dedicated father and grandfather, enjoying watching everyone achieve their individual achievements.  He never missed a game, recital, play or event his children or grandchildren participated in, regardless of the distance.  He was known for standing under a tree or in the corner of a hockey rink.  He spent many hours playing golf with his friends and sons and enjoyed watching his favorite sports teams, the Mets and Devils, and the TV show Hogan’s Heroes.  Around town in Florham Park, Doc was known for walking several times a day and, later in life, around “The Park” in front of his house.

He was a big Disney fan, proudly sharing a birth year with Mickey Mouse.   In 1974 he celebrated his first trip to Disneyworld with his family of 6 and an eventful final visit with his 6 children, their spouses and 18 grandchildren to celebrate his 90th birthday.   It was a wonderful trip, starting the family group chat “Disney for Dad’s 90th” that the family continues to use to this day.

Visitation will be at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home at 106 Main Street, Madison, NJ on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 5:00 - 8:00pm.  A Roman Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Church at 1 Llyod Avenue, Florham Park, NJ – Friday, February 2, 2024, at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Morristown Medical Center in the name of Dr. Michael G. Moran.