Obituary of Donald James Nolan

Donald James Nolan, Ph.D., entered into eternal life on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, peacefully and surrounded by family.  He would have celebrated his 83rd birthday on Sunday. 

Don was born on May 14, 1934 to Henrietta and John Nolan of Cohoes, New York, where he grew up with his older brother John (Jack).  Don graduated from Catholic Central High School (Troy) in 1952. 

Afterwards, Don attended the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany; he then enlisted in the United States Army and served as First Lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division where he parachuted onto the icecap in Greenland.  He later continued his service as an active member of the National Guard.  He served his country with the same steadfast honor and integrity with which he did everything in his life. 

After his service, Don pursued his education, earning his BA in Mathematics and his MA in French from SUNY Albany.  In 1967 he earned his PhD in French from the University of Illinois at Urbana and taught French while there.

Educational innovation was the theme throughout Don's professional career.  His work in the field of education helped to revolutionize the opportunities that are provided to anyone seeking higher education in the State of New York.  

Don was an integral contributor to the establishment of New York State's first external degree program.  Regents College, known today as Excelsior College, was built on the idea that what a person knows is more important than where he learned it.  Don appreciated the simplicity and humanity in this concept.  He served as the first Director of the Regents External Degree Program from 1971 - 1978, and directed the establishment of the program, which offers undergraduate degrees by examination, through study at other colleges, military courses, and other nontraditional approaches.  His work earned him honorary doctoral degrees from two colleges.  Today, more than 35,000 students are enrolled in programs at Excelsior College, and Don's legacy will live on through the educational opportunities he helped create. 

From 1978 - 1982, Don worked for the State Education Department of New York as Assistant Commissioner for Higher Education Academic Review, and then as Deputy Commissioner of Higher and Professional Education from 1982 until his retirement in 1996.  He has also authored several publications including Regents College, the Early Years, a comprehensive review of the establishment of the college.  Throughout his life, Don also served as a member on several advisory boards.

Don met Marguerite Ellen Hastings near her home in Carthage, New York, in the midst of his National Guard training at Fort Drum.  Don and Marguerite were married on June 20, 1959 - the beginning of a lifetime of love, devotion, family, and faith that they built together.  They welcomed their first child in 1960 and continued to grow their young family.  By the time Don completed his PhD, he and Marguerite had five children and were living in a small apartment in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.  In 1967, they moved to Clifton Park and into a loving community which would provide remarkable friendships over the next fifty years.  Don and Marguerite welcomed their ninth child in 1976 and their large family was complete!

The love and devotion that Don and Marguerite had for each other shone through every aspect of their lives.  Their relationship was special and rare, and was a blessing to all who had the good fortune to know them.  Don always spoke to and about his wife with love, gentleness, and respect, and she was always his priority in the midst of a busy life.  It was clear how proud and grateful Don was to have Marguerite as his partner in this life. 

Don was a man of great faith and was a member of St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park.  He taught religion classes and served as both a minister of the Eucharist and a lector there.  He and Marguerite were active in the church community and were members of the Hosanna Prayer Group where they developed special friendships with so many.  For several years, he coordinated an annual retreat with his brothers in Christ to Saint Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, MA.  In everything he did, Don was an unfailing example of the love that God calls us to show for one another. 

Don enjoyed living a life of family and faith that he and Marguerite created.  He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and won many games of HORSE in the driveway and threw many footballs and baseballs to kids in the yard.  He enjoyed bowling with his young family and later on was the coach for his son DJ's Special Olympics bowling team.  He was an avid golfer and a member at Ballston Spa Country Club for many years.  He played countless rounds of golf, most frequently with his sons, but also with his daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren, and enjoyed playing in the BC Open in Endicott.  He was a loyal fan of the New York Yankees, and if the Yankees weren't on TV, somebody was golfing somewhere. 

Always interested in sharing life with others, Don was eager to learn about the lives of his family and friends; he listened without judgment, counseled when needed, and cheered enthusiastically for accomplishments of any kind.  He loved laughter and jokes, whether they caused him to groan or to laugh so hard that he couldn't speak.  Don completed the crossword puzzle and jumble every day and enjoyed watching Jeopardy!  

Don's gentle, humble, and loving manner was a blessing to all who knew him.  He lived his life with grace, and was a constant example of pure love and goodness.  Throughout his life, his faith in God sustained him; he never doubted God's plan for him.  His legacy will live on proudly through so many and his presence will be greatly missed. 

Don is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marguerite Ellen Hastings Nolan, and their nine children: Mark Nolan of Mechanicville; David Nolan of Ludlow, Massachusetts; Laura Hinman (Malcolm) of Jonesville; Barbara Marshall (Todd) of Broadlands, Virginia; Gwyn Nolan of Clifton Park; Stephen Nolan (Lisa) of Ballston Spa; Jay Nolan (Nancy) of Saratoga Springs; Kelly Rauschenbach (the late William) of Rock Tavern; and DJ (Donald Joseph) Nolan of Clifton Park.  Don was the loving grandfather to sixteen grandchildren: Sarah and Joel Hinman; Ryan and Casey Nolan; Julia, Timothy, and Kimberly Nolan; Sarah, Allison, and Katelyn Nolan; Erica, Elizabeth, Emma, and Esley Rauschenbach; and Olivia and Chloe Marshall.  He is also survived by his older and taller brother, Jack Nolan (Sheila) of Naples, Florida, and many nieces and nephews.  He was the devoted friend of many special people who have become like family to him as well.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 13 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Road in Clifton Park, NY.  Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church chapel on Friday, May 12th from 4-8 p.m.  Burial will be in the Jonesville Cemetery, Jonesville, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made in Donald's memory to www.shenendehowa.dollarsforscholars.org or in C/O the funeral home and to St. Edward the Confessor Church Building Fund, 569 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park, New York 12065.