Kevin F. Dolan, 64, of Worcester died Sunday, January 21st at home surrounded by his family. He leaves his beloved wife, Martha M. (Howe) Dolan; two sons, Patrick J. Dolan and his wife, Maria of Ventura, CA and Matthew G. Dolan of Worcester; two daughters, Kathryn E. Kidd and her husband, Jared of Colorado Springs, CO and Julianne Mitchell and her husband, Gregory of Chicago, IL; two brothers, Arthur Dolan of Worcester and Dennis Dolan and his wife, Carol of London, Ontario; a sister, Kathleen Daigle and her husband, Kenneth of Holden; two brothers in law, James O’Rourke and David Harding; two grandchildren, Damian and Jamison and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Stephen Dolan and a sister, Mary Ellen O’Rourke, and two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth A. Howe and Claudia M. Harding.
He was born in Worcester the son of Arthur and Ellen (Daly) Dolan. Kevin worked as a computer programmer for Digital, UMass Memorial Medical Center and retired from Brigham and Women’s Hospital due to illness. He held a degree from Nichols College and pursued graduate work at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. A kitchen table philosopher from birth, his true education came from books, in which he buried himself at every convenient (and inconvenient) moment. For Kevin, a good discussion was always welcome, a good argument, appreciated. A loyal member of the pro-life movement, Kevin believed deeply in the dignity of all human persons. He was dedicated to serving the poor and vulnerable, but always believed he received far more than he gave. His favorite virtue was humility.
Of all the blessings he received in life, the one Kevin treasured most was his Catholic faith. In health, it shaped and inspired him; in sickness, he found in it comfort and solace. He prayed often, sometimes for hours on end. He had a great love for the rosary, a devotion to the chaplet of Divine Mercy, and a dedication to the Holy Eucharist. His deepest desire in life was to learn to love God, a mission to which he gave himself in a special way during two decades of illness. His faith was simple and patient, and his love enduring, even in the midst of suffering. It is for this that he will be remembered.
The Dolan family is deeply grateful to the many friends who, in kindness and charity, have accompanied Kevin along the way, and to his caregivers Leslee, Bernice, and Kobi for their remarkable compassion.
Kevin’s funeral is Friday, January 26th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, with a Mass at 11:00 AM in St. Paul’s Cathedral, 15 Chatham Street. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours are Thursday, January 25th from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Daily Mass, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609.