Doran grew up in Ireland but moved to England in the late 1960s, working with Ryans Car Hire. A keen rugby fan, he set up Rugby Travel in Twickenham, which became Edwin Doran Sports Travel. The business celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
It later became part of Travelopia, and now trades as Edwin Doran Sports Tours. With the proceeds of the sale, Doran bought a vineyard an hour away from Cape Town that his family still runs.
There was also an agency in the centre of Twickenham, Edwin Doran’s Travel World, which his wife Rosie ran for many years.
Doran was one of the founder directors and first chair of the Campaign for Real Travel Agents in the early 1990s, now known as Aito Specialist Travel Agents.
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.
"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.
"I'm glad to say 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.”
A date for Doran's funeral service and a celebration of his life is yet to be arranged. Those who would like to attend are welcome to email Rosie Doran via rosiedoran104@gmail.com.
