John Patrick Dolan
June 06, 1948 - November 14, 2017
Obituary
MADISON-John Patrick Dolan, age 69, beloved husband, father, brother, friend, and lover of laughter and good times, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, at UW Hospital, after a sudden illness. He was born on June 6, 1948, in Clinton, Iowa, eldest of seven children begotten by John and Audrey (Adler) Dolan. John graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, finding his passion in South Asian Studies, and marrying Linda Hershberger, the love of his life, on Sept. 18, 1976. Though John was an ardent and lifelong Hawkeye fan, he moved to Madison in 1978 for graduate school. John and Linda had their only child, John Ryan MacArthur Dolan, on March 28, 1989. John had a knack for personal relationships, having numerous jobs in sales before comfortably settling in at Smart Motors Toyota, 19 years ago, becoming “Mr. Hybrid”. One of John’s favorite pastimes was attending Notre Dame football games with his father, brother, and others. John was a known aficionado of all the finer things in life-wines, foods, cars, bikes, music and clothes-while also being known for his quick, witty, and biting humor. John leaves behind his wife, Linda; son, Ryan; his siblings; and his many close friends, who will miss their St. Patrick’s Day outings with him. John’s parents preceded him in death. A Memorial Service will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A celebration of life will be held after the service at Great Dane Hilldale at 12:30 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Events
Visitation
Sat Dec 2, 2017 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Sat Dec 2, 2017 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Celebration of Life
Sat Dec 2, 2017 @ 12:30 PM CDT
Great Dane Pub & Brewing - Hilldale • 357 Price Place, Madison, WI 53705
Photos
Memories
MD
mike duren
Other •
John, you will be greatly missed. Thanks for all your help over the years. I always looked forward to seeing you at Smart Motors and I am especially grateful for all the time you spent in my classroom
Mike Duren
J
Joe
Other •
May you Rest In Peace, but still have an occasional hearty laugh - the kind of laugh that always made us join in! It was wonderful to know you, and we will always have fond memories of you.
BT
Brian Tennant
Other •
John, On behalf of all of your Paunack Ave. neighbors, we will miss the roar of your jeep cruising up the street on warm nights. Our condolences to Linda and Ryan.
KH
Kathy Helm
Other •
Linda and Ryan our hearts go out to you and the rest of your family. We have fond memories of the yearly holiday parties at Nancy & Randy's where we got to spend time with you and John. Our condolences to you all. Kathy and Gary
RK
Randy Krause
Other •
John, my friend, your passing has brought with it an avalanche of memories that I will cherish forever. From discussions of the Bhagavad Gita and the good Dr. Joe Elder to the many bus trips to the Chicago pre-tasting for the Heublein wine auction. Ok, many of those memories are very, very fuzzy.
I loved the road trips to run the corners around Mt. Horeb in your Volvo, and am really grateful for that old German body shop man who could make it look new again.
Then there were those many Friday afternoons when the gang, a very fluid collection of oenophiles, would gather at special places for lunch and wine tastings that often ran well into the night. There were some great spots, The Black Bear Lounge, Gus’ basement in the Athens and the Italian Workingman’s Club, to name a few. The best though, were the Backyard Bacchanals at the picnic table in your new backyard, where we could throw empty bottles with abandon and admire Linda’s garden. And Linda, sweet Linda, put up with us all (more or less) and I will nominate her as the Patron Saint of The Enthusiastically Misguided when I next have the Pope’s ear.
Finally, I want to share with everyone a sample of the artist genius within you, the wine label you created for one of my finest wines, an herbaceous and heady delight from the rolling hills of the Wisconsin River Valley.
We love you John, and will see you on the other side!
Randy Krause & Nancy Peerenboom
S
Susan
Other •
I met John when I attended St. Mary's High School in Clinton, Iowa. I remember you sat across from me, homeroom, Junior year... every morning I would say good morning to you, you'd give me a nod...thanks John, I needed that.... I will always have a smile with the memory of you...
Susan Edwards