Ronald Michael Doher

Beloved husband of Rose; adored father of Christina (Mike) Kozak and Jacqueline (Matt) DuPuy; proud Papa of Ana, Eliza, Emelia, and Josephine; dear brother of Michelle Doher, Pat (Connie) Doher, Robin Doher, and Debbie (Mike) Schram; brother-in-law of Jerry (Mary Lou) Barranca and Maria Alvaro; son-in-law of the late Leo and Josephine Barranca. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Ronnie was born on July 27, 1957, in Detroit to the late Michael and Agnes Doher. Ron grew up as the second oldest of five children in the Doher household. Ron spent many days of his youth with his parents and his siblings working in the family store, “Doher’s Market,” in Detroit. At the age of 12, the Doher family moved to Harper Woods.

During his Junior High years, Ron took to fixing bikes and lawn mowers. He was known to be able to fix anything with his hands. As he grew older, and got into high school, he progressed to fixing cars. Before he reached the age of 16, Ron had rebuilt the engine and transmission of a ‘64 Chevy Malibu, and once he reached his 16th birthday, he took his brother Pat on a ride up north in that rebuilt car.

The pride that Ron felt while on that trip up north in the car he rebuilt was a trait he demonstrated the rest of his life. He didn’t just do things; he did them well. He had the same amount of pride in the simple tasks like keeping up his house, as he did every day at work as a mechanic in his own shop, or while working for the last 30 years in the auto parts industry.

Cars weren’t his only love during his high school years. It was during high school that Ron met his eventual wife of 40 years, Rose. Or, as he so adoringly referred to her as, “Rosie.” Ron and Rose were blessed with two beautiful daughters, and then eventually four granddaughters. Rose, Tina, Jackie, Ana, Eliza, Emmie, and Josephine. Ron would lovingly refer to these seven girls in his family as “his girls.” They will always be his girls.

Family was everything to Ron. He adored his family, and cherished time spent with them. He loved the family dinners, the trips up north, the rowdy games of euchre, and the jokes told over a campfire. He reveled in the ability to spend time with his granddaughters. One of Ron’s favorite past times with his granddaughters was teaching them how to fish. The girls will always remember his “Papa-isms,” as he was known to use certain words and phrases when talking with them.

During Ron’s life, he spent a lot of time commuting between Metro Detroit and northern Michigan. This started as a kid, as his mom’s family’s farm in Bear Lake was a common vacation spot for the Doher kids. Ron loved being up north, and he loved “the big lake,” as he used to call Lake Michigan. Ron, Rose, and the rest of their family spent a lot of time during the past couple of decades up north at their house in Onekama. They made many memories together as a family in that house, and they shared even more laughs there.

Finally, Ron was an outdoorsman. Ron loved to be immersed in nature. Whether he was hunting deer, or hunting birds with his nephew, or just simply riding along on his tractor, he was happy when he was outdoors.

Ron was loved by all who crossed paths with him. He had a knack for being genuinely interested in the lives of everyone he met, and putting them at ease with his presence. He was never shy to offer a hug and a kiss when greeting you, or saying goodbye. He was a warm, kind-hearted, loving man who will be greatly missed.

Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00am on Friday, August 23 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 22412 Overlake St., St. Clair Shores. The family will greet friends from 9:30am until the time of Mass at 10:00am