John Charles Dolan Was Devoted to His Family

John Charles Dolan of Oak Bluffs died Sept. 2, 2003 at Windemere Nursing Home. He was 71.

He and his wife, Maureen (Corrigan) Dolan, lived the past 13 years in Oak Bluffs. They previously lived in Seekonk.

He was born on Oct. 31, 1931 in Salem, the son of Timothy and Enid (Laffie) Dolan. He was vice-president of the class of 1950 at Foxboro High School, where he excelled in football.

Mr. Dolan then attended Stockbridge Agricultural School and received a bachelor degree in agronomy.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and did basic training at Paris Island. He was sent overseas to Japan to be the foreman for the construction of the Gifu Golf Course for officers. He was discharged as sergeant from Quantico, Va., where he was in the pro shop and assisted Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard M. Nixon in their selection of clubs.

He started his career by caddying and being the greenskeeper at Oyster Harbor Club in Osterville before the service, and later became the superintendent of the Sharon Golf Course, the Rhode Island Country Club, the Kirkbrae Golf Course in Lincoln, R.I., and retired from the Segregansett Country Club in Rehoboth in 1993.

John was a scratch golfer and won some Pro-Am tournaments and was the tournament winner for the Superintendent Pro-Am. He was the past president of the Rhode Island Golf Association.

He was a loving and wonderful grandfather to his grandchildren, Jay, Lila, Haley, Jack and Liam. He enjoyed kayaking and won an Island race in the senior division, also biking, swimming, and landscaping after retirement.

He is survived by his wife; four sons and their spouses, Shaun and Lisa Dolan of Medfield, Brian and Robin Dolan of Woodacre, Calif., Kevin Dolan of North Andover and Tim and Amy Dolan of Sharon; a sister, Dorothy Stuart of Hingham, and many nieces and nephews.

His graveside service is Friday, Sept. 5, in the VA National Cemetery in Bourne at 10:30 a.m. Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.