NORWICH – Donald B. Dolan, 97, of State Highway 23, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 at Community General Hospital in Syracuse.
Born in Norwich on January 19, 1912, Don was the son of Michael W. and Mary (Byrne) Dolan. He was educated in the Norwich schools and graduated from Norwich High School.
During the late 1930s, as a hobby, he learned to fly at Lt. Warren Eaton Airport. His hobby was soon to become a major part of his life’s work. In May of 1941, he began his employment with the Gulf Oil Corporation. At that time, Don and his wife, Charlotte, moved from Norwich. He was with Gulf Oil for 33 years. Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted for training as a military flight instructor. On completion of his training, he was assigned as a flight instructor with the U.S. Navy Pilot Training program where he served until the end of the war. Upon his discharge from active duty, Gulf Oil sent him to their New York City office in charge of Aviation Sales for the NY division of the company. In 1962, he was transferred to Gulf’s new regional office in Philadelphia with responsibility for aviation sales in approximately one half of Gulf’s marketing area in the United States. During his long employment, the company provided a series of airplanes which he flew in carrying out his sales activities. He retired in 1974 and moved back to Norwich where he and Charlotte had purchased a home the previous year. Additionally, Don was a flight instructor for Colgate University for one year.
He was a life member of St. Paul’s Church and also a life member of the Norwich Elk’s Lodge #1222 and the Lt. Warren Eaton Post #189 of the American Legion, a member of The Wing’s Club of New York City and the New York City Hangar Quiet Birdmen.
On April 23, 1941, in St. Paul’s Church, he married Charlotte Katherine Harris, the daughter of Dr. Blinn and Isabelle Harris. Surviving, in addition to his wife, Charlotte, of Norwich are nephews, Mike, Jay and Donald Dolan of Texas and several cousins, including John Dolan of Norwich. He was predeceased by his sister, Margaret M. Dolan and brothers, Richard Dolan and Henry S. Dolan
A Mass of Resurrection for Don will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Paul’s Church. Friends are invited to call in the Marion Chapel of St. Paul’s on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place in the spring in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Don may be made to the charity of your choice.
The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at: http://wilsonfh.com.