Clarence Fred Frederick Patrick Dolan

Clarence "Fred" Frederick Patrick Dolan, 86, of Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 5, 1931, in Dansville, New York, the son of Clarence E. and Ruby M. (Wilkins) Dolan.

Fred was a 1948 graduate of Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, Pa. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War from 1951 through 1955. Fred married Colleen Marie Casey on January 6, 1951, and she passed away on July 21, 1980. He then married Esther R. Winkelman in Rockford on May 7, 1983. She passed away on January 22, 2012. He graduated from Gannon University in Erie, Pa. in 1963, while he and Colleen were raising seven of their eight children. Fred worked as a development engineer at General Electric for 20 years and then as a principal engineer at Sundstrand Corporation until 1991, when he retired. Fred was member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, where he was Man of the Year in 2011. He was a member of Knights of Divine Mercy. He enjoyed building and flying model airplanes, collecting vintage electronic equipment and computers. Fred had a great sense of humor and had a great love of all animals, especially his cats.

He is survived by his children, Lee Anne (Paula Martin) Dolan, Colleen Michal Dolan, Dianne K. Forray, David P. Dolan, Daniel F. (Jan) Dolan, Kelly M. Dolan, Shirley M. (John) Kharsa, and Lisa A. (Shawn) Rylatt; stepchildren, Cheri (Richard "Rick") Foster and Craig Mansfield; 19 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and 11 step-great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Colleen; and his second wife, Esther; his grandson, Neal Rylatt; his sister, Shirley Iacovetta; and stepson, Kurt Mansfield.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 17, 2017, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave., Rockford. Burial is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. The Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. on Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Bernadette Church Outreach Program. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.

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