William Matthew Nolan Sr.

White Creek, William Matthew Nolan, Sr., 82, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Post Corners, Thursday, July 11, 2013, surrounded by his loving family and the land that he loved and farmed his entire life. Born March 3, 1931, at Mary McClellan Hospital in Cambridge, he was the youngest child of John F. and Bridie Dailey Nolan. He attended Post Corners District #5 Elementary, where he was taught by his sister, Mary Austin, and graduated from Cambridge Union School, class of 1948. He married Ann B. Tyminski on June 27, 1954. Bill was an expert farmer and herdsman who knew and loved Holstein dairy cows. His ability to operate tractors and other farm equipment was amazing. Keeping up a family tradition dating back 150 years to immigrant Irish grandparents, Bill farmed with his father, his older brothers Jack and Jim and continued with his sons and nephews. Nolan Bros. Dairy which is now Shaker Hollow Farm, is a farm to be proud of. He loved the mountains and woodlands that surrounded the farm and hunted deer with his sons every fall. He never forgot anyone he ever met and could talk about the generations and history of all the neighboring farms. Somehow he found time to read Time and Newsweek magazines and was very knowledgeable about politics and current events. In his "spare time", usually on a Sunday afternoon, he enjoyed NASCAR, stock car racing and harness racing. A fan of country music, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams were his favorites. He was a communicant of St. Partick's Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. A granddaughter Ashley and five siblings, John F., James L., Betty Luke, Rita McCart and Ann Connors, have died before him. Along with his beloved wife of 59 years, he is survived by four loving children and their spouses, David M. and Peggy Nolan, William M. Jr. and Barb Nolan, Lawrence A. and Monica Nolan, all of Eagle Bridge and Karen and Chuck Ashton of Hebron; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Austin of Cambridge and Katherine Gilchrist of Pittstown and many nieces, nephews and their families. Friends and relatives are invited to call on Sunday, July 14, 2013 from 3 to 6 PM at Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, 73 West Main Street, Cambridge. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Tom Knopka on Monday, July 15, 2013 at 10 AM at St. Patrick's Church. 17 South Park Street, Cambridge. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery. For those wishing to remember Bill in a special way, the family suggest donations be made to either St. Patrick's Church or Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, 37 Gilbert Street, Cambridge.