Fort Myers, Fla. – John Bernard Dolan, Jr., age 72, of Fort Myers, FL and formerly of Shrewsbury, died suddenly in Boston, MA on Saturday, January 8, 2022 from complications of ampullary cancer.
He leaves son Sean B. Dolan and his wife Julie Ferland of Dedham, MA and their sons Samuel and Jacob. He leaves daughter Rachel L. DeYoung and her husband Michael DeYoung of Boston, MA and their sons Declan and Brendan. He is survived by five siblings: Patrick J. Dolan of Shrewsbury, MA; Pauline J. “Polly” Dolan of Tampa, FL; Michael J. Dolan and his wife Monina Dolan and their son Darby of San Francisco, CA; Thomas J. Dolan and his partner Sabrina Williams and her daughter Piper of Los Angeles, CA; Elizabeth A. “Betsy” Doud and her husband Joseph Doud of Falmouth, MA and their children Megan Murphy, Brian Murphy and wife Jessie Randall, Brad Doud and all their children. John is also survived by his ex-wife Patricia Dolan of Boylston MA, her daughters Andrea Bigos of Hudson MA, Tracey Tindol of Franklin, MA, Pamela Dunbar of Auburn, MA and their families. He is also survived by life-long family friend Timothy McDermott of Portland, ME, in addition to many friends from the Shrewsbury Fire Department and Lexington Country Club in Fort Myers, as well as the mother of his grown children, Linda R. Dolan, of Mashpee, MA.
Mr. Dolan was born in Worcester, MA and grew up in Shrewsbury, the son of the late John B. Dolan Sr. and Pauline (Kelley) Dolan. He graduated from St. John’s High School and Boston College (Class of 1971).
Mr. Dolan was a member of the first Boston College Varsity Lacrosse team and a loyal fan of the BC football team, holding season tickets for many years.
Mr. Dolan was a member of the Shrewsbury Fire Department for 32 years, appointed as a call firefighter in 1971, a permanent firefighter in 1979 and retired as a Captain and Fire Prevention Officer in 2003.
He attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, completing Fire Prevention technical courses. He also graduated from Quinsigamond Community College and Anna Maria College with degrees in fire science.
He was the former president of the Shrewsbury Firefighters Association and a member of the Shrewsbury Fire & Police Association. As a Petty Officer in the United States Coast Guard Reserve, he was stationed at the Merrimack River Station in Newburyport, MA and participated in OpSail 80, the 1980 Tall Ships parade of sail into Boston Harbor.
After his retirement, Mr. Dolan moved to Fort Myers, FL and spent the winter months there for many years.
He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing in the Men’s Golf Association Match Play tournaments at Lexington Country Club where he lived. As a fan of spring training, he attended Red Sox and Twins games for many years.
John was an avid reader and our family historian of Worcester and Massachusetts lore – sharing many stories about relatives and family friends who had built the family business TJ Rafferty, Inc.
He loved being near the ocean, and most of all, John treasured spending time with his four grandsons by cheering them on at their sports events, playing golf, playing board games and visiting local historical sites, as well as exploring Florida with them and Auntie Polly. Declan, Brendan, Sam and Jack were the light of his life and they will dearly miss their Papa John.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 from 9 AM to 11 AM at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA, followed immediately by a funeral Mass at 11:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury, with the burial at Mountain View Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 precautions, masks will be required at the funeral home and church, and there will be no reception afterwards.
The family requests flowers be omitted and donations be made to the Shrewsbury Fire & Police Relief Association, PO Box 53, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
