NORWICH – John E. Dolan, 93, soldier, public servant, loving companion, insurance salesman, wonderful husband and father, avid and proud Democrat, master story teller and generally great guy, of Norwich, passed away at his home on Dec. 3, 2012.
John was born Oct. 29, 1919, in Norwich to John and Mary (Farrell) Dolan. He attended St. Paul’s School and graduated from Norwich High School in 1937 where he boxed, played hockey and football. John entered the military in 1943 after working at Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, and became a tail gunner on the B-29 “Daring Donna” stationed in the Pacific on Tinian in the Mariana Islands. He completed 35 missions over Japan in the company of other brave young men who remained meaningful to him for his entire life. For John’s service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. On June 22, 1946, John married Dorothy A. Swertfager with whom he shared over 50 years and for whom he lovingly cared in the many years of her last illness.
Upon his return from the military, John became a life insurance salesman for Prudential Insurance Company, and worked for them for over thirty years. In 1966 he was elected as the Supervisor for Wards One, Two and Three in Norwich, and served as a supervisor until 1979 when he was defeated by two votes by the late Johnny Walker. Though he did not believe he would return to the Board of Supervisors, John was convinced to run again, was elected and served another 15 years, finally retiring from the Board of Supervisors in 1999. In later years, he was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and loved skiing and golfing with his friends Dick Ellinwood and Del Cook.
John believed in family, friends, faith, the underdog, having a “helluva a good time” whenever possible and found joy in every day of his long and beautiful life. Those of us who loved him are more grateful than we can express for having shared some of that time with him.
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, his siblings John F., Anna Dolan Suplee, James and Francis Dolan and his beloved grandson Trevor Patrick Dolan. He is survived by his loving companion, Doris Ferrara of Sidney, NY; his children Mary Pat Dolan and David Kerness of Ithaca, John F. Dolan, of Binghamton, Michael P. and Connie A. Dolan of Londonderry, NH, Timothy and Jill Dolan of Chapel Hill, NC, Thomas J. Dolan of Lexington, KY, Ann Dolan and Jim VanBuskirk of Norwich, Mark and Sue Dolan of Endwell, Nancy D. and Steven Roder of Orchard Park, NY, Christopher Dolan and Erin Kane of Schwenksville, PA, and James and April Dolan of Syracuse. He is also survived by grandchildren Kristin Hathaway, Brandon and Megan Dolan, Bryan Dolan and Kelley Dolan Genest, Jonathan Dolan, Kate Wilkinson Lyons, Elaine Wilkinson and Jeffrey Wilkinson, Leigh and Eric Dolan, Allison and Daniel Roder and Madison and McKenzie Dolan.
Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul’s Church on Friday at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Paul’s cemetery at a later date.
Contributions may be made in John’s memory to Holy Family School, 17 Prospect Street, Norwich, NY 13815 or Hospice and Palliative Care Services of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich.
The family especially thanks Hospice, whose loving care of John and his family during his final days is beyond description, and wishes to express appreciation to Dr. Jennifer Congdon and Dr. Thomas Huntsman for their kindness and care, and Marie Higgie for her amazing kindness and support to us all.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home. To send a message of condolence to the family, please visit: www.wilsonfh.com.