Obituary of John J. Dolan

John J. Dolan, 93, passed away Friday, November 11, 2011 at Castle Point VA. Born November 13, 1917 in New York, NY he was the son of the late Joseph Dolan and Marry Fallon. On June 28, 1942 in St. Catherine’s Church, NY John Married Peggy Dillon, they were married for 69 years. Mrs. Dolan survives at home. A veteran, John was inducted August 1, 1942, at Fort Dix, NJ; assigned to an AA Searchlight Bn. The unit was disbanded a year later. John was requested for and was ordered for overseas duty. Boarded the USS Queen Elizabeth, December 31, 1943. Landed in Northern Ireland as a cadre member. Shortly thereafter reported to the first Army in England, assigned to the 29 Division, 116th Regt., Co. C, training for the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, went ashore at Omaha Beach, survived the beach. Six days later wounded, returned to and hospitalized in England. Discharged from the hospital in September and transferred to the 80th Division assigned to the 319th Regt., Co. C, until the war ended in Europe. Awarded the Silver Star in action, November 26. During the Battle of the Bulge, December 28, was wounded and hospitalized, returned to duty and of January 1945. Awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster for the second Silver Star. Wounded by enemy rifle fire during the action, received 2nd OLC for the 3rd Purple Heart, dated February 14. Awarded the Bronze Star in action, vicinity of Bergen, Germany on March 15. Discharged as staff sergeant, November 1945. Returned to former employment, retired after 34 years, further employed by New York Department of Social Services, retired after 10 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons; John Dolan and wife, Nancy of Highland Mills, NY; and Raymond Dolan, and wife Denise of Rockville Center, NY; three daughters; Maureen O’Rouke and husband, Hugh of Long Island, NY; Peggy Lanigan and husband, Stan of Poughkeepsie, NY; and Marian Rohde of Poughkeepsie, NY; Daughter-In-Law Susan Dolan of Bronx, NY. John is also survived by his sister Mary Elizabeth Dolan, 22 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. John was predeceased by his son Bobby Dolan in 1993; son-in-law Carl Rhode in 2011; three brothers William Dolan, Joseph Dolan and Albert Dolan; And three sisters Patsy Duffy, Catherine Proudfood and Ellen Gerard Dolan. Calling hours will take place November 16, 2011 from 4:00 – 8:00pm at Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at Holy Trinity Church on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery Valhalla, NY. The family would like to give a special thanks to the Doctors, Nurses and staff at Castle Point VA, especially John Bechelli “Buddy” and Anna. Memorial Donations may be made to VA, Castle Point, NY 12511.