Alfred George Nolan, of Baldwinsville, NY formerly of Somerville, age 92, died peacefully on April 23, 2017, at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, MA. after a brief illness. He was born Nov. 1, 1924, in Somerville, MA, the son of the late Mary E. (Foley) and Francis G. Nolan, natives of Ireland who came to the United States in 1914.
Mr. Nolan graduated from Somerville High School in 1943 and as soon as he turned 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. During World War II, he flew 35 combat missions as a waist gunner on a B-24 bomber. He served with the 15th Air Force, European Theater, earning the World War II Air Medal four times and five additional campaign medals for distinguished wartime service.
After serving his country, in 1950 he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Boston College. While attending Boston College, he was a correspondent for the Boston Globe, covering news and sports. Mr. Nolan worked in sales for 25 years for the Gillette, Schick and Remington corporations. He was later self-employed as a manufacturer's representative and worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Plymouth, MA, retiring in 2001 after 17 years of service. He lived in New England for many years and after his retirement he spent two years in Virginia Beach, VA, before moving to Baldwinsville, NY, in 2003. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Baldwinsville and a member of American Legion Post 8529 in Baldwinsville. He was also a member of veterans' organizations in Virginia Beach and West Haven, CT.
Mr. Nolan was married to Anne (Cameron) for 31 years until her death in 1983. He was married to Helen (Nile-Ellis) for 24 years until her death in 2009. He was a kind and devoted husband to both and cared deeply for them.
Always living life to the fullest, Mr. Nolan thoroughly enjoyed his final days, playing golf, ballroom dancing, sparring over politics, talking about the Boston Red Sox or the New England Patriots, reading the newspaper and spending as much time as possible with those he loved. His radiant smile and his kind, generous and gentle spirit brought joy to everyone who was blessed to be a part of his life. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, and his passing has left us with a great emptiness in our hearts.
He is lovingly survived by his stepdaughter, Suzanne Ellis of Baldwinsville, NY, stepsons, Abe (Kathleen) Ellis of Franklin Park, NJ, and Craig (Laurie) Ellis of Palos Verdes Estates, CA. He was the loving grandfather to Barbara Derby, Wesley Getman, Kristen and Carl Holmquist, David, Emily and Sarah Ellis; great-grandchildren, Allie, Molly, Clara and Emerson Derby, Jack and Eli Getman. He is further survived by his dear friend, Marilyn Cheney of Peabody, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers Francis, Charles, Walter and Kevin Nolan.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to gather at the McLaughlin-Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Friday, April 28th, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 280 Main St., Woburn, at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with Military Honors and burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.