Joseph R. Moran ’64

Joseph R. Moran, 80, of Portland, died peacefully on Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Yarmouth.

Joseph was born in Portland on Feb. 21, 1942, the son of Joseph and Evelyn (Feeney) Moran. He grew up in Portland, attended Cathedral Grammar School and graduated from Cheverus High School in 1960, where he played on and was a captain of the football team. He then went on to Maine Maritime Academy where he also played football and served as Class President, graduating in 1964.

After graduating from MMA, he served two terms as Alumni President and was also inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for his outstanding performance on the field, in addition to being recognized as an upstanding alumnus. The lifelong relationships he formed at MMA were truly special and very important parts of his life. He met his best friend and roommate, Fred Gleason, there and they were inseparable until Fred’s death in 2009.

Upon graduation, Joe went to sea as a Merchant Marine but found his true calling on land. He went to work for Central Maine Power in 1971 which brought him from Portland to Augusta to Waterville and finally back to Augusta, where he retired as a vice president in 1995. At CMP, he once again created deep and long-lasting bonds with his co-workers, whom he considered great friends.

After retiring from CMP, Joe worked for USAID in Ukraine from 1995-1999 and then returned to Maine to serve as a consultant for Efficiency Maine until 2017.

While on vacation in Ireland in 1970, he met the love of his life and future wife Sinéad (Jane) Connolly at the Connemara Coast Hotel. The couple was married on July 5, 1971, in Portland. Joe and Jane had two children, Shannon and Matthew, and often travelled back to Ireland to visit family in and around the Galway area where Jane was from and where Joe had family roots.

Avid sports fans, Joe and Jane were longtime members of Waterville CC where they enjoyed playing golf with many close friends, and after moving back to Portland in 2000, joined The Purpoodock Club. Joe was also a football referee for many years, continuing to enjoy the sport he had played for so long. He enjoyed attending Patriots games, in particular with his nephew, Sean. Some of his more notable sports trips included the Masters and multiple trips out to South Bend with family and friends to see Notre Dame play.

Among his activities, Joe was a founding member and first President of the Portland branch of the Irish American club in 1973 and served on many boards around the area including: the Boys and Girls Club, of which he was a lifetime member, the Iris Network, Mid-Maine Medical Center, various energy boards both in and out of state, Junior Achievement, the Elks Club, and the Knights of Columbus.

Joe was predeceased by his wife, Jane in 2005, and is survived by his children, Shannon Moran of Saint Malo, France and her daughters Maëva and Maëlle; Matthew Moran and his wife Kristina of Portland and their son Kier; his siblings Dennis Moran and his wife, Beverly of Portland, David Moran and his wife, Gloria of South Portland, John “Jack” Moran and his wife, Bridget of Portland, Mary “Queenie” Moran of New Hampshire, Ann Herbert of Portland, Cathy Mosley and her husband, David of Portland; his many nieces and nephews; grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Shannon and Matthew would like to extend their greatest thanks to the many staff members and care givers at the various facilities where Joe spent his last years including Falmouth House at Ocean View, Coastal Manor, and Mercy Hospital.

A most heartfelt thanks to family and friends who have been such constant and faithful companions to Joe and to them. Your kindness has been so appreciated and the great joy and comfort you brought and continue to bring is immeasurable. Though he will be missed by so many, his memory will live on.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday July 22 at 10 a.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.

To view Joseph’s memorial page or share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.