Dr. Leo J. Moran

MORAN, Dr. Leo Joseph, 88, of Dunedin passed away on June 8, 2017. A loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and devoted family physician, he was born on January 12, 1929 in Slayton, MN, to John and Sarah (Short) Moran. He was the 10th of 11 children in this devout Irish Catholic family. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN) (in three years) and the University of Minnesota Medical School. He proudly served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1955–1957. During that time he was stationed in Waco, TX, and then at Malden Air Force Base in Malden, MO. During his tenure in Malden he met a beautiful woman (inside and out) named Martha “Jane” Rouse, who was a young widow and the mother to 3-year-old son Kent. It quickly became apparent to Leo that he had met the love of his life. They married four months later, moved to Ventura, CA, where Leo did his family physician residency, and daughter Cindy was born. The family then moved to Minneapolis where he had a successful family physician practice, and where they were blessed with son John, and then daughter Karen. Seeking a new adventure, they moved to Gainesville, FL in 1971, where he was a physician at the University of Florida. A year later the family moved to Clearwater, where he was a family physician for many, many years at Mease Clinic in Dunedin. He was adored by his patients, some of whom traveled from other states to see him after they moved out of town. Upon retiring, he was a volunteer physician at the Clearwater Free Clinic, where he was named “Doctor of the Year.” He was a truly wonderful person who touched so many lives and helped so many people. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, reading and watching Buccaneers, Gators and Seminoles football, and Rays baseball. He loved a great adventure, and thoroughly enjoyed traveling. He was happily married to his beloved Jane for 57 years. Leo was preceded in death by Jane, his parents, and nine siblings. He is survived by four children and three grandchildren: Kent (and Jim) of Ukiah, CA; Cindy (and Todd) of Milwaukee, WI; John (and Kim) and children Chelsea (and Brian) and Jordan of Palm Harbor; and Karen (and Paul) and son Kyle of Longwood, FL. He is also survived by his brother, Paul, and many nieces and nephews. He was a truly kind-hearted person who was such a blessing to all who crossed his path. He will be forever missed and never forgotten. There will be joy in heaven with his entry. The family would like to thank all of his friends, including his many friends at Mease Manor and at the Dunedin Kaffee Klatch breakfast club. A public gathering will be held Tuesday, June 20 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, June 21 at 2 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin. Interment Rites will take place at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park. Additional information, including online family guestbook and extended obituary may be accessed at Sylvanabbey.com. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759, (727) 796-1992.