Dr. John Harold Moran

78, of Providence, passed away peacefully at Miriam Hospital on May 5, 2021. Although

diagnosed with leukemia a few years ago, he had been successfully treated and lived a full and

active life until very recently. He was born December 27, 1942 in Bridgeport CT, the son of John

F. and Helen I. Robinson Moran. In his youth he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. While an

undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, he played bass guitar in a

rock and roll band fronted by Taj Mahal, who went on to become a well-known blues musician.

Music in many genres remained a passion throughout John’s life. He was a gifted pianist and

enjoyed performing for others at the Review Club and with Brown medical student musicians.

He graduated from Temple University School of Medicine in 1968 and completed his residency

in pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and Strong

Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. Following two years of service in the United States Navy,

stationed at Annapolis, MD, he joined the staff at Providence Community Health Centers, where

he was the first physician to accept a fulltime position working at the health center in 1973. His

desire to improve the health of the city’s children paved the way for generations of physicians to

make their careers working in community health. During his forty-seven years at PCHC, John

was the pediatrician for generations of children who lived in the neighborhoods around Smith

Hill. He was also Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Warren Alpert School of

Medicine at Brown University, where he was recognized with the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching

Award in numerous years. Rhode Island Hospital likewise recognized his teaching talent with

multiple awards. The Rhode Island chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics presented

him with a Special Achievement Award for developing, with the Brown University Cross-

Cultural Health Affinity Group, a guide for interviewing Spanish-speaking patients.

He is survived by his sisters, Patricia Moran Bombardier (Richard G.) of Granby, MA and Mary

H. Moran (Jordan Kerber) of Hamilton NY, three nephews, Richard Bombardier Jr. (Gizele) and

son Jack of Belmont, MA, Michael Bombardier (Patricia) and daughter Kerry, of Granby, MA,

and John Kerber of Philadelphia, PA, and a niece, Pearl Kerber (Liam Barry) of Silverdale, WA.

He was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the First Unitarian Church of

Providence, Review Club, the Providence Athenaeum, Ski Wheelers Ski Club of North Conway,

NH, a former member of the Worcester Ski Club of Wilmington, VT, and a devoted supporter of

Community Music Works. He sang for many years with the Providence Civic Chorale. An avid

sailor, he kept a boat at Apponaug Harbor Marina and crewed on yacht races in the summer

months. He was a season-ticket holder to Brown University football games and hosted many

tailgate parties for friends and family. He was famous for his annual Super Bowl party, and for

his clambakes. The Providence Community Health Centers will be naming the new addition to

the Capitol Hill clinic in his honor, and a memorial service will be arranged for a later time.