Robert Andrew Doragh's Obituary
Robert Andrew Doragh, a resident of Lee County since 1972, died at his home on July 27, 2020. He was 84 years old.
Bob was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on November 11, 1935 to the late Arthur Douglas Doragh and Lillian James Doragh. He graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School before entering the United States Naval Academy. Bob graduated fifth of his 848 student class and first in Electrical Engineering in 1957. He later received a Masters degree in both Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before his time at MIT, Bob served on the USS John Paul Jones (DD936) based in Newport, Rhode Island and then the USS Charles F. Adams (DDG 2) based in Charleston, South Carolina post-MIT. He was then designated an Engineering Duty Officer and worked in the Charleston Navy Shipyard overseeing the overhaul of Polaris submarines.
After leaving the Navy, Bob moved his family to Fort Myers, Florida, where he worked and later partnered with his old Naval Academy roommate in a water and sewer construction business, Gator Utilities, Inc. Together they helped the area grow from 50,000 residents to what it is today. Bob was also an active member in the community; he served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Cecilia Catholic Community and later at St. Columbkille Parish, volunteered at Bishop Verot High School where his sons attended, and was a member of the Fort Myers South Rotary Club. Enjoying many passions throughout his life, Bob was an American Contract Bridge League Life Master, researched his family history in Ireland, England and the United States, and was a fanatic supporter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from their very beginning. Bob also guided the campaigns of several politicians, many of whom were elected to various county offices and even one who became a Congressman.
In retirement, Bob and his wife Pat traveled the world. They visited all seven continents, over 100 countries, including most of the countries in Central and South America, all the States in the U.S. and most of the provinces of Canada. He was a strong leader, an intelligent, well-educated man devoted to his family and friends, faith and country. Bob worked tirelessly at whatever project came his way.
Bob met his wife Pat, the former Patricia Schano of Savannah, Georgia, as a blind date for June Week, the Naval Academy graduation celebrations. Through good times and bad, they enjoyed 61 years together. He is also survived by his sister, Eileen Doragh, of Fort Myers, as well as his sons Peter and wife Cyndi of Fort Myers, Stephen of Lexington Park, Maryland, John and Thomas of Fort Myers, and Philip and his wife Kaye of Austin, Texas. Also surviving are his 12 grandchildren: Shannon Johnson and husband Matthew, Abigail Doragh, Joshua Doragh and his wife Courtney, all of Fort Myers, Joseph Doragh and his wife Alyssa of Tallahassee, Florida, Elizabeth Katsadouros and her husband Vasili of Asheville, North Carolina, Annie-Laurie and Mary Katherine Doragh of Acworth, Georgia, Railey and Jackson Doragh of Manning, South Carolina, and Charlotte and Amelie Doragh of Austin, Texas. Bob was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Halston, William and Eleanor Johnson of Fort Myers.
His was a life well lived and he will be truly missed.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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