IN LOVING MEMORY OF
John W.
Nolan
December 30, 1921 – July 14, 2014
Obituary
Madison - Mr. John W. Nolan, 92, Waterbury native and long-time resident who had been living the past few years in Madison, CT, passed away on Monday evening, July 14, 2014, at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife, Theresa (Langey) Nolan, who died at age 65 in 1991.
Mr. Nolan was born on Dec. 30, 1921 in Waterbury, son of Thomas F. and Mary (Gaffney) Nolan. He attended local schools and the College of the Holy Cross. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Lieutenant (J.G.) and saw action at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, he completed his degree in education at Central Connecticut State University and earned his masters at Fairfield University and his sixth-year at the University of Connecticut. Like his father and mother, he taught in the City of Waterbury elementary school system. His career spanned 35 years; he retired as principal of Sprague School in 1983.
His greatest loves in life were his wife of 43 years, Theresa, his nine children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved Waterbury and was devoted to helping his community in any way that he could through volunteering at the shelter, church functions, and numerous other activities throughout his long life. He liked to sing in church, tend to his flowers and vegetables in his backyard gardens, ride his bike at the shore, dance at weddings, and enjoy a glass of wine. He firmly believed in the power of prayer.
He is survived by his sisters Ann O'Neill of Nazareth, PA, and Mary Bailey and her husband Robert of Meriden. He was predeceased by his brothers Joseph T. and Thomas , his grandson Joseph M. Nolan, and his daughter-in-law, Inga Martinson Nolan.
He leaves his children Joseph P. Nolan and his wife Susan of Trumbull, Patrick (Tom) Nolan and his wife Aideen of West Hartford, Margaret McMahon and her husband John of Keene, NH, Paul Nolan of Westerly, RI, Catherine Nolan of Arlington, VA, John Nolan, Jr. and his wife Melanie of Waterbury, Sheila Duxbury and her husband David of Kirkwood, MO, Claire Keenan and her husband Michael of Madison, and Peter Nolan and his wife Marlo of Cohasset, MA.
He is survived by 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and cousins Jean and her husband Daniel Minahan of Southport, and Joseph Gaffney of West Hartford, and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements: Calling hours will be held prior to the funeral from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at the Bergin Funeral Home, 290 East Main St., Waterbury. The funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2014, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 182 Robbins St., Waterbury. Burial will follow in Old St. Joseph's Cemetery in Waterbury. In lieu of flowers, when you remember John Nolan, just raise a toast and say a prayer.
Mr. Nolan was born on Dec. 30, 1921 in Waterbury, son of Thomas F. and Mary (Gaffney) Nolan. He attended local schools and the College of the Holy Cross. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Lieutenant (J.G.) and saw action at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, he completed his degree in education at Central Connecticut State University and earned his masters at Fairfield University and his sixth-year at the University of Connecticut. Like his father and mother, he taught in the City of Waterbury elementary school system. His career spanned 35 years; he retired as principal of Sprague School in 1983.
His greatest loves in life were his wife of 43 years, Theresa, his nine children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved Waterbury and was devoted to helping his community in any way that he could through volunteering at the shelter, church functions, and numerous other activities throughout his long life. He liked to sing in church, tend to his flowers and vegetables in his backyard gardens, ride his bike at the shore, dance at weddings, and enjoy a glass of wine. He firmly believed in the power of prayer.
He is survived by his sisters Ann O'Neill of Nazareth, PA, and Mary Bailey and her husband Robert of Meriden. He was predeceased by his brothers Joseph T. and Thomas , his grandson Joseph M. Nolan, and his daughter-in-law, Inga Martinson Nolan.
He leaves his children Joseph P. Nolan and his wife Susan of Trumbull, Patrick (Tom) Nolan and his wife Aideen of West Hartford, Margaret McMahon and her husband John of Keene, NH, Paul Nolan of Westerly, RI, Catherine Nolan of Arlington, VA, John Nolan, Jr. and his wife Melanie of Waterbury, Sheila Duxbury and her husband David of Kirkwood, MO, Claire Keenan and her husband Michael of Madison, and Peter Nolan and his wife Marlo of Cohasset, MA.
He is survived by 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and cousins Jean and her husband Daniel Minahan of Southport, and Joseph Gaffney of West Hartford, and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements: Calling hours will be held prior to the funeral from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at the Bergin Funeral Home, 290 East Main St., Waterbury. The funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2014, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 182 Robbins St., Waterbury. Burial will follow in Old St. Joseph's Cemetery in Waterbury. In lieu of flowers, when you remember John Nolan, just raise a toast and say a prayer.
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