George Moran, founder of Severna Park insurance firm, dies

From flying Cessna planes to taking classes at St. John's College in Annapolis, George Moran kept busy after retiring from the Severna Park insurance agency he founded. Yet, he remained a mentor to owners Marc Dorman and Matt Lehmann, who bought Moran Insurance in 2010. "He was just that kind of guy," Dorman said of Moran, who died suddenly on Dec. 26 at age 70. "We really looked up to him."

From flying Cessna planes to taking classes at St. John's College in Annapolis, George Moran kept busy after retiring from the Severna Park insurance agency he founded.

Yet he remained a mentor to owners Marc Dorman and Matt Lehmann, who bought Moran Insurance in 2010.

"He was just that kind of guy," Dorman said of Moran, who died suddenly on Thursday at age 70. "We really looked up to him."

Dorman traded emails with Moran about once every other week. He met with Moran on the weekends to talk shop, even though Moran was no longer involved in the daily aspects of the business that still carried his name.

But the Queenstown resident was more than just a savvy businessman. An avid boater and golfer, Moran also flew his own planes.

Weeks before his death, he was on a safari in Africa.

"He was full of vitality and life and energy," Dorman said.

As a business owner, Moran was an active member of the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce and once served as its president.

He was also one of the first leaders of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, after the Anne Arundel Trade Council and the Greater Annapolis Chamber merged in the late 1990s.

Moran had the right personality for sales, said Linda Zahn, president of the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce.

"He had a real gift for working with people," Zahn said.

Moran was also known for his charitable work. Moran Insurance sponsored an annual golf tournament fundraiser for The Providence Center, a Glen Burnie-based nonprofit that helps people with developmental disabilities find jobs.

"He got that there is a need for people with developmental disabilities to be involved," said Chuck Coble, chief executive officer of The Providence Center.

Moran served on Anne Arundel Medical Center's board of trustees from October 2002 through September 2012. He was chairman during his last two years on the board.

"George was civic-minded and always found time during his professional career and into his retirement to help make Annapolis and Anne Arundel and Queen Anne's counties better, stronger," Tori Bayless, president of AAMC, said in a prepared statement.

A native of Washington, D.C., Moran graduated from the University of Tampa and was on active duty with the Marine Corps Reserve.

He is survived by his partner, Terry Doggett, three brothers, three children and 10 grandchildren.

A celebration of Moran's life will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Annie's at Kent Narrows, 500 Kent Narrows Way North in Grasonville.

Donations should be sent in lieu of flowers to The Providence Center, 930 Point Pleasant Road, Glen Burnie, MD 21060.

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