John Thomas Nolan

After a long and happy life, John T. Nolan Jr., 95, passed away peacefully on November 25,2025 at Taconic Rehabilitation and Nursing at Hopewell.

John was born in Boston on April 15, 1930 to John and Margaret Nolan. He graduated from Catholic University in 1951 with a BS degree in Chemistry and from MIT in 1955 with a PhD in Organic Chemistry. In 1955, he married Mary Sharkey of Galway and Roscommon, Ireland, and together they moved to Dutchess County.

He was employed at the Texaco Research Center in Glenham and retired in 1992 as Director of Strategic Research. Besides his career with Texaco, John had been active in a number of local community activities. He was one of the original Directors of the Dutchess Community College Foundation and its first Chairman. Subsequently, he served as its Planning Chairman, responsible for developing its long-range plans. Other activities included being a Director of the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, a chairman of the local Society of Plastics Engineers, a Chairman of the Texaco Research Society, a member of the Advisory Council of the Dutchess County Science Fair, and a tutor with the local Literacy Connections, helping students enhance their reading and math skills. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, and Phi Beta Kappa.

John was a devout Catholic whose faith was a big part of the man he was. It was reflected in how he lived his life and treated others. He was a member of St. Mary's Church in Fishkill, serving as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He was a former teacher and high school director of the CCD program at St. Mary's. In more recent years, he served as a Mass server at Mt. Alvernia Franciscan Retreat Center in Wappingers Falls. He served as a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital in the Pastoral Care Department.

In addition to his beloved wife, Mary, survivors include two daughters, Anne Winberg (Steven) of Alexandria, VA, and Margaret Smallin of Wappingers Falls, NY; two sons, Stephen Nolan (Diane) of Marlboro, NJ, and Michael Nolan (Maria) of Gaithersburg, MD; his daughter-in-law, Andrea Kent, of Southampton, NY; six grandchildren: Michael, Lindsay, Paige, and Sean Nolan, and Rebecca and Christopher Burns; two great grandsons, and one great granddaughter. He was pre-deceased by his son, John Nolan III, and son-in-law, Jerry Smallin.

John and his wife loved spending time on the beach at their condo in Hilton Head, SC, as well as their frequent travels around the country and world. He was devoted to his family, and spending time with them brought him the most joy.

Rest in peace, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. You will be so very missed. May God give you peace and joy.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice or Catholic Charities.