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Neil Leonard Dolinsky
Neil Leonard Dolinsky
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Neil Dolinsky Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Wendy Gilchrist
February 14, 2024
Dear Cathie
So sorry to learn of the loss of your husband Neil back in 2009, he was a nice man.
We have not seen one another for many years but I do think of you and just today re read some of your letters to me when Nigel and I were spending our 2 years in Glasgow Scotland with our wee boy Mac ( now 42!)
How time disappears on us, would love to catch up again one day. Do reach out if you would like to do so.
With love
Wendy Gilchrist
0274346937
153 Main Rd
Moncks Bay
Christchurch NZ
Cathie Mahar
October 31, 2021
Thank you so veery much to the kind things you have all said about Neil. He was a pretty special person. To John, it is extraordinary that it is 12 years. I still sometimes think, 'surely that didn't happen'. I know you were a good friend of Neil's; he enjoyed your company and spending time with you in the trombone section of the orchestra. Cathie
John Metcalfe
May 27, 2021
Has it really been 12 years? Don Weiblen and I still talk about Neil in the trombone section of the Bloomington Symphony - especially when we play Tchaikovsky 6. There is a gut-wrenching passage for the trombones near the end of the first movement. Neil provided melodramatic lyrics to that passage. "I've loooooost the farm! I've loooooost the farm! ..." So perfect. When we play that section, we just look at each other, nod, and say, "Neil." Being a trombonist is much more than just playing trombone, and Neil was true trombonist.
Phil Bolsta
November 8, 2009
To all of Neil's friends who visit this site, my blog post on Neil (http://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/neil/) includes all six eulogies and many remembrances from family and friends. I hope you will consider also leaving your message on this post so that it is as complete a tribute to Neil as possible.
Thank you for keeping Neil's memory alive.
Phil Bolsta
[email protected]
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fritz garrecht
November 6, 2009
Neil,
I have often thought of you and for some reason i decided to google you today. I am shocked to hear of your passing and I pray your family finds peace with it, as well as joy in the memories and experiences you left them with. This is bringing tears to my eyes even after all these years.
Prayers of peace,
Fritz Garrecht ( fellow short seller )
Mike Van Cleve
June 30, 2009
To Neil's family:
I am saddened by Neil's death and sorry for your loss. In reflecting, I recognize my childhood was richer because of Neil and his family in St Cloud.
A memory:
Neil and I under my family's ping pong table furiously folding sheets of paper into "spacecraft" in the hopes we might assemble a fleet of ships to take us "where no man has gone before."
Another memory:
Listening to 78's on the record player in the basement of the Dolinsky family home. Tunes: Leader of the Pack, The Green Beret. Also quite a bit of dancing and climbing on the furniture. Shh don't tell mom!
A memory;
Neil showing with great pride his father's new car. It had bells and whistles usually not seen. We spent time moving the seat, rolling down the windows, pushing the buttons to automatically change the radio station. Wow!
Finally a story;
My parents lived outside St Cloud. One night after I had married and moved to the Twin Cities, who but Neil should show up at our family home. I believe he was trying to track down me but not finding me he spent considerable time visiting with my parents. To this day they recall that visit with fondness and were impressed by Neil's maturity at such a young age.
Hmmm...I will be smiling all the way to lunch!Thank you to the creator of all who provided us with the gift of Neil. He will be missed but his memories won't fade.
In deepest sympathy
Mike Van Cleve
Jim Potter
June 11, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with the Dolinsky family. Neil was such a bright man. He was a pleasure to know, both on a professional and social level. He will be missed.
Thomas Olinger
June 9, 2009
To all the Dolinsky's,
My heartfelt condolences to all of you. I remember Neil from grade school through college. I remember fondly playing in his basement, learning chess, hebrew, playing music. Neil was one of those people whom you always knew would turn out all right. Although we missed him at the 30th high school anniversary, he was remembered by many. Even though you were blessed with Neil for only a short 50 years, he will be remembered well beyond the next 50.
With deepest Sympathies,
Tom Olinger.
Charlotte, NC via St. Cloud
Diane Adair
June 7, 2009
Thank you, Luci, for getting word to us of your Dad's passing through Maggie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom and Helen. Please let us know if you are going to be in Minneapolis. with love, Diane Adair and family
...as for a memory...I just came across a picture of a rocket launch...there are a bundle of memories from those special years.
Chuck Clay
June 5, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Dolinsky family. I played with Neil in the Bloomington Symphony for many years and will always remember him as a man with a great sense of humor, keen wit and many talents
Bruce Kirsch
June 5, 2009
To the Dolinsky Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this extremely sad time in your lives. May his memory be for a blessing.
Cindy and Bruce Kirsch
Alan Dordek
June 3, 2009
To the estended Dolinsky Family:
We were very sad to hear the tragic news about Neil. He was a delightful person. When you saw Neil, you saw a very warm, friendly person, who greeted one and all with a big smile, an extended hand and a big hug.
Our condolences to Bev, Cathie, the girls,Steve, Karen and all who knew and loved him.
He will have a place in our hearts and we will miss seeing his smiling face.
Nina & Alan Dordek
Andy (AJ) Jacobs
June 3, 2009
To the Dolinsky Family, our hearts go out to all of you. I was one of Neil's fraternity brothers at DU and have fond memories of our time together. My wife and I were chatting last night about the last time we saw Neil in Denver. I will keep a special place for Neil in my heart.
Margaret Kirby
June 3, 2009
To the Dolinsky family, Cathy and family,
I am deeply shocked and saddened by Neil's passing.
Thank you for your wonderful Neil. He was a great friend, excellent company and a generous soul.Neil was very kind to me when i first moved back to Geelong after 20 years, teaching my son chess, going for morning walks in a bid to get fit and get our heads around our daily challenges, and celebrating the virtues of local muscles, that he had recently discovered he could cook excellently! He would talk about the Bellarine Peninsula where he lived, as one of the best kept secrets in the world. He loved his local countryside and the lifestyle it brought. He opened my eyes to the beauties of this region- having been brought up here I was blind! The walks would be around the bay as the sun came up, the sunrise reflecting in the water and the white boats bobbing. Through his eyes I experienced this place as a foreigner and witnessed it's serene beauty. I will be forever grateful to Neil for that and whenever I look over the bay I will be thinking of him. I am grateful to have met you all on your recent visit to Geelong for Neil's 50th birthday, an unforgettable occasion that was alive with your familys' love, humour, enthusiasm for life, shared passions of food and film. I hope the memories bring you comfort and joy as you traverse this next very difficult time without your beloved Neil. From my heart I wish you all love. My heart goes out to you all.
Andy Aronson
June 3, 2009
To the Dolinsky family, I am so sorry to hear of Neil's passing. I was a fraternity brother of his at DU and have so many great and cherished memories of Neil. Neil is just one of those unique people that touches the souls of others as he went through life and will be missed by a great many people.
I am so sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Andy Aronson, Greensboro, NC
Ken Friednash
June 3, 2009
To the Dolinsky Family,
Words cannot express how shocked and deeply saddened I was to learn of Neil's sudden passing. Neil was my pledge son at ZBT Fraternity at the University of Denver. He was a kind and compassionate friend and brother. Although the geographic distance made it difficult to see each other over the years, we could always pick up where we left off and his friends knew we could count on him to be there if needed. I will miss him and my heart goes out to your family.
Alice Williams
June 2, 2009
To the Dolinsky Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Neil's death. I was in the Bloomington Symphony with him for many years. He was a huge asset to the orchestra in so many ways and his endowment fund continues to benefit the BSO today. I remember being impressed by his vision and his ability to put that vision into action. He was also a great guy to know. You have my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Sincerely,
Alice Williams
Patrice Pakiz
June 2, 2009
Dear Cathie and family,
Neil was a colleague of mine in the Bloomington Symphony from many years ago (oboist). As John Metcalfe already said, his legacy continues because of his vision with the Orchestra. But I have to say, my fondest memories are of several of us gathering to watch old Star Trek episodes - I even made gingerbread "people" to represent the characters at one such event at your house in Mpls. Neil made some cheese appetizers for which he gave me the recipe - I just made them a couple months ago and thought of him. I think I remember some Spock ears there, too. May you be comforted with the knowledge of how his care and concern remain within in us even in death. My deepest sympathies.
John Metcalfe
June 2, 2009
To the Dolinsky family,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Neil's passing. For many years, I was a colleague of Neil's in the trombone section of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. We also served together on the Orchestra's board of directors. Neil was an outstanding musician and just a lot of fun to have in the section. In that sense, he was a true trombonist. His business acument and financial knowledge also served the Orchestra well, as he was the one who established the Orchestra's endowment fund. That fund is still in existence, helping to keep the Orchestra in good financial condition. He was always thinking of different ways to benefit the Orchestra, including a series of summer concerts performed in the city of Jordan. His value to the Bloomington Symphony cannot be overstated. As many others have said, Neil was a man of many talents. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Bill & Christine Dean
June 2, 2009
Dear Cathie, Luci and Helen,
We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Neil's passing. Your husband and father was one of our dearest and most admired friends. We shall always treasure the memories of our visit to your home a few years ago and the many kindnesses and the warm hospitality you, Neil, Alison and Alan extended to us during our stay. We will sorely miss Neil's keen intellect, his infectious sense of humor, and his compassionate and caring personality, often experienced during his occasional visits to our home when he was in the Twin Cities. Our hearts go out to all of you during this saddest of times.
Love,
Bill & Christine
Marie Molde
June 2, 2009
Dear Dolinsky family,
Words cannot express my heart -
honoring your sorrow, wishing you peace.
I have lit a candle in memory of Neil; please follow this link if you wish to view and light a candle as well
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/view.cfm?l=eng&c=8516248
Lynn Pehrson
June 2, 2009
Dear Dolinksy family,
I am so sad to hear of Neil's passing. He was brilliant and kind, and I have very fond memories of him as he hung out with my little brothers, Gordy and Jim. My God comfort you in this time of great sadness.
Lynn Pehrson
AH
June 2, 2009
Cathie, Luci, Helen, My dear Sister, Karen, Steve and all of my family,
we've been blessed with Neil's presence in our lives, and though it was all too short, his memory will live within our hearts forever. I pray for comfort for everyone, strength in G-d's love and my very deepest sympathy for this most tragic loss. G-d bless his soul, and may he rest in peace. Love, love, to all of you, always!
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