Joseph M. Nolan

1919 - 2015

Joseph M. Nolan

AGE: 95 • Mantoloking

Joseph M. Nolan, Esq., a longtime resident of Mantoloking, NJ at his beloved Jersey shore died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 27, 2015. He was 95 years old. Raised in the Vailsburg section of Newark, he was the son of a Newark firemen of which he was always proud. He had lived in Cedar Grove and Verona prior to living in Mantoloking in 1981. He also maintained a home in Bodega Bay, Ca. and summered for many years in Normandy Beach before his move to Mantoloking. Joe attended West Side High School in Newark and proudly served in the United States Coast Guard during WWII. He attended night school and graduated from New York University in 1943 and Rutgers University School of Law in 1948. In 1945, he was appointed an Internal Revenue Agent in the Newark Division and served until 1949 when he began his 60 year legal career. He first went to work for Pitney, Hardin, Ward, & Brennan in Morristown and in 1954, he started his own law firm Nolan, Lynes, Bell, & Moore in Newark. Mr. Nolan was a member of the American, New Jersey, Essex, and Ocean County Bar Associations and served as President of the NJ State Bar in 1975. In 1991, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service and contributions towards improving the justice system. He also served as a member of the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association and was appointed to its Board of Governors and then elected Treasurer of the ABA in 1987. Joseph was a Life Member of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation and a permanent member of the Judicial Conference of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Mr. Nolan's career was long and varied. He was known as a tough and prepared foe in the courtroom but a gentleman in his dealings with his adversaries. In 1963, he was appointed by the US District Court as the trustee of Harbor Tank Storage, one of the firms bankrupt and involved in the "Great Salad Oil Swindle". He was also appointed by the NJ Superior Court to the Lerner probe to investigate the municipal affairs and allegations of wrongdoing in the city of Jersey City by a taxpayer group. In 1978, NJ Governor, Brendan Byrne, appointed him to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. Mr. Nolan was also a Conservator of the Casino Control Commission appointed by the NJ Gaming Board. Joseph was the longtime President and respected member of the Friendly Sons of St, Patrick of the Oranges. His wit and humor were cherished and hailed by his fellow members. Joe was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Bay Head.

Joe is survived by 3 children; his sons J. Michael Jr. of New York City, Christopher P. and his wife Victoria of El Cerrito, CA., and his devoted daughter Susan M. of Mantoloking, NJ and 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister in law Dorothy Nolan Venning of Naples, Fla. And many cherished nieces and nephews.

He lost his beloved wife of 58 years, Jeanne A. (nee Stanton) Nolan in 2006. He was also predeceased by his parents Mamie and James, his brothers Edward J. and his wife Laverne and James T., both Battalion Chiefs with the Newark Fire Dept., sisters Helen J. Wussler and husband Bill and Mary A. Doby and husband Walter, and a nephew Brian Nolan.

His greatest legacy is of a loving and devoted husband and father, dear brother, an adored uncle and a good friend too many. His sense of humor and love of laughter, honesty in all things and hard work ethic defined the man.

A celebration of his life and memorial visitation will be held at the LaMonica Memorial Home, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ on Friday, March 20, 2015 from 3-7 pm. The Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, March 21, at 11 am in St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover, followed by the inurnment in Gate of Cemetery in East Hanover. In lieu of flowers, Joe asked that contributions be made to The Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, 3300 Rt. 66, Neptune, NJ 07753, a charity he and Jeanne supported.