Peter D. Doran

Peter “Pete” Daly Doran, 74, of Ely, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, teacher, and loyal friend, passed away in Ely on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. Fittingly, he passed away doing what he loved best: being in the woods with his family and dogs. A Catholic Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely, with visitation one hour prior. He is deeply missed by his family and friends. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
Pete was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Feb. 13, 1952. He spent his idyllic youth playing in the woods of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Surrounded by close brothers and neighborhood friends, he developed a deep, lifelong sense of community and family. Pete met the love of his life, Melissa, at a 1971 university party at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Following his graduation in 1974, he moved to Babbitt, where Melissa joined him a year later, beginning a wonderful 50-year marriage. Mentored by his family, Pete had a lifelong love of fishing, while Melissa grew up camping and canoeing in western Pennsylvania. Together in Minnesota, they formed a perfect outdoor partnership, spending the next eight years camping, fishing, and canoeing nearly every weekend in the BWCAW and Quetico Park. After eight years of adventures, they welcomed their son Kurt, followed three years later by their daughter Lara, both of whom quickly joined their parents and dogs in exploring the great outdoors.
Pete began his career as a biologist for the Minnamax copper nickel project in Babbitt and later worked in Crested Butte, Colo., before returning to Ely. He went on to spend 33 cherished years teaching life sciences at Vermilion Community College, proudly helping countless students find their career passions. With summers free from teaching, Pete worked for Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely, forming lifelong bonds with the Olson family and with more than a few of their customers. He truly cherished this job. An enthusiast of aquatic biology, Pete spent countless hours identifying invertebrate insects under his microscope for Northeast Technical Services in Virginia, always eager to share his passion and to guide rising scientists.
One of Pete’s defining characteristics was his unforgettable voice. Whether he was running errands in Ely, teaching in a classroom, or in the woods, you always knew when he was nearby. Deep and resonant, his voice easily carried across a crowded room or a wide lake, instantly bringing a smile to anyone who heard it. A lifelong fan of the Grateful Dead, Pete’s truck station was permanently tuned to SiriusXM channel 23. He attended countless concerts, and was known for frequently quoting the band’s poetic lyrics, which captured the essence of life’s journey. Among his favorites were: “If the thunder don’t get you, the lightning will,” (reflecting fate’s inevitability); “Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile,” (finding joy even in sorrow); and “What a long strange trip it’s been,” (celebrating life’s unpredictable path). Pete is not gone; he has simply gone ahead to live a peaceful outdoor life with a soul that is now still.
Pete is survived by his loving wife, Melissa; children, Kurt (daughter-in-law Brynn) and Lara; grandchildren, Noah and Ella; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and many cherished nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his four brothers, Richard, Joseph, David and Michael as well as David’s twin sister, Sally. Pete was the youngest of six children and each loss of a sibling left an empty spot in his heart. May the six of them be dancing together and if Pete has any say, preferably to the Grateful Dead.