John Dolan

John (Jack) Dolan

formerly of Denville and Mount Arlington

John (Jack) Dolan, formerly of Denville and Mount Arlington passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 14, 2011 after a long illness. Born in Morristown on March 7, 1923 to Mary (McIntyre) and John Dolan, he was the eldest of six children. After losing his hearing at the age of seven, he attended the New Jersey School for the Deaf. While a student there, he consistently made the honor roll, was an active athlete in several sports, and successfully completed the requirements for Eagle Scout. He very much enjoyed tending to and riding horses. Upon graduation, he worked for three years as an optical lens grinder while also attending evening classes at the Trenton Industrial Arts School, eventually completing a course in Tool and Die Design.

In 1944 he joined ITT as a group leader handling the mechanical design of automatic telephone equipment. Upon the company's recommendation, he enrolled in Newark College of Engineering and successfully completed a course in Advanced Mathematics. Although his deafness prevented him from participating in World War II, as it came to a close, John was assigned the responsibility of training many of the returning servicemen in the field of drafting. He was transferred to ITT's Radio Division and then the Laboratory Division where he worked as a Senior Designer. While employed at ITT, he continued his education for years and retired after 35 years of employment. Always the charming Irishman, he and Mary loved to dance and to socialize with their many friends. He bridged the world of silence and sound masterfully. John was a tireless advocate for the deaf and hearing impaired. He was one of the original founders of the New Jersey Association of the Deaf. He was the former vice president and state secretary of the Morris County International Catholic Deaf Society, a member of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, the Silent Club of the Diocese of Paterson, and the American Professional Society of the Deaf. He overcame incredible obstacles faced by the deaf seventy years ago, and because of his efforts, many doors have been opened for hearing impaired individuals today. John was a mentor, inspiration, and respected professional in both the deaf and hearing communities.

John is predeceased by his parents, John and Mary, and siblings, Theodore, Ann and Madeline. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary, who he met while at the NJ School for the Deaf, and his children, Maureen Fahrer and her husband, Wayne of Mine Hill, NJ, his daughter, Eileen, of Portland, OR and his son, Patrick, of Raleigh, NC. He is survived by five grandchildren, Kevin, Katie, Colleen, Jesse and Madeline. His first great grandchild is due in October. He is also survived by his brothers George and William.

Funeral services were private. Donations in John's honor, can be made to New Jersey Association of the Deaf, 5 Wilk Court, Lawerenceville, NJ 08648.