Donald J. Dolan Sr.
Don was the fourth child born on September 4, 1947, to James H. and Lorena Stober Dolan on the Dolan Family Farm on the West Road. A lifelong resident he attended Constableville School, graduating from South Lewis Central Schools with the Class of 1966. On October 4, 1969, he was united in marriage with Norma McCanney at St. Mary’s Church in Constableville. They were blessed with five sons and one daughter and though they later divorced, they remained loving, dedicated parents always putting their children first. For a time before operating the family farm, Don was one of the first to drive bulk milk tanker for Boonville Farms COOP Inc., beginning the transition from milk cans to bulk tanks. In 1982, we moved from the farm, and Dad started his career as a truck driver. He went on to briefly drive for Hoch Brothers Concrete and then many milk haulers, including Harold Jaeger, Holland Patent Leasing, Alnye Trucking and Tim Petrus. Don retired from driving when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2017. Don loved driving truck and his family farms. It was not just a job for him; he had a personnel connection with all of them and missed them after retirement.
Don was of the Catholic faith attending St. Mary’s Church, Constableville his entire life. Faith was of great importance to him, often ending conversations and signing greeting cards with God Bless U. Dad was a man with a generous spirit and kind heart, always quick to lend a helping hand. He had a quick wit, feisty sense of humor and facial expressions that spoke volumes without words.
His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. From family get togethers to dance recitals and baseball games to helping out with firewood and putting in hay he found great pleasure in being a part of our lives and poured into them in more ways than we can count.
He is survived by his children, son, Andy, daughter, Melissa and Clint Carpenter, son, Michael and Jodi, son, Joe and Carrie, son, Jeff and Barb, and son Chris and Megan;15 grandchildren; a great grandson and a great granddaughter on the way; his sisters, Dolores Post and Mary Jane Clark; sister-in-law, Alma and many nieces and nephews. Don was predeceased by his parents, brother James Jr., granddaughter Jocee in 2011 and grandson Chandler in 2021.
We would like to thank all his caregivers who helped support him after his diagnosis; we could not have done it without you.
The Milkman’s famous farewell…Happy Trails to You.
Honoring Dad’s wishes there will be no calling hours. A burial will be in the spring at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Constableville. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mills Funeral Home, Boonville. For an online message of sympathy please go to www.millsfuneralhomes.com.