EDWIN DORAN’S FUNERAL IN TEDDINGTON THIS WEEK
Edwin Doran was a much-loved local personality known for his travel business in Twickenham and his love of wine, which he turned into a successful business. His funeral takes place in Teddington on Wednesday with requested dress code ‘a nod to Ireland or rugby.’
The family said: “Edwin’s funeral and celebration are due to be exactly how he lived his life – surrounded by hundreds of people with many memories shared, lots of music, wine and Guinness! If you would like, and are able, to watch the funeral live, please use the link below.
“The funeral is due to start at 2:30pm. This will also be saved and available to watch after the day.
Edwin Doran, one of the founders of the predecessor of Aito, has died aged 79 after a long illness.
He set up Rugby Travel in the 1960s – later re-named Edwin Doran Sports Travel – which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
Tui bought the sports business from Doran initially, and subsequently sold it on again.
Separately, his wife Rosie ran high street travel agency, Edwin Doran’s Travel World, in Twickenham, alongside a team of expert consultants for many years.
Edwin bought a wine farm in South Africa some 15 years ago with the proceeds of the sports travel business sale.
His son, Tom Doran, worked alongside his father on the wine business and will continue to run it going forward.
Rosie Doran said: “Edwin was diagnosed originally with cancer of the bowel, and has spent a lot of time this year in and out of hospital, with various infections and kidney problems, eventually not eating but simply taking liquids.
“Up to a month or so ago, he was still working on the wine farm business, alongside our son, Tom. It was a real passion – alongside, of course, travel and rugby.
“He was so proud to have been one of the founder directors and the first chairman of Carta, the Campaign for Real Travel Agents, in the early 1990s – now known as Aito Specialist Travel Agents – alongside organising travel worldwide for school cricket, rugby and lacrosse teams.
“I am glad to say that Edwin very peacefully drifted away listening to Irish music, with his family around him; I am confident that he will be playing magnificent games of rugby in the heavenly skies for a long time to come.
“The family will, of course, continue the wine farm business in Edwin’s name, and we will visit Cape Town and the farm regularly; we all had so much fun exploring this beautiful region, and plan to ensure that the Doran family name is firmly imprinted on many excellent bottles of wine yet to come; Edwin’s dream will live on in his memory.”