Francis J. Nolan

Rensselaer- Francis J. Nolan (Frank), 91, was many wonderful things, but most of all, he was beloved by his family and their hearts were broken on January 11, 2018, when he moved peacefully into the Lord's arms with his family surrounding him. Frank was the loving husband of Marion Rose (Donnelly) Nolan for 65 years, and was the dear son of the late Ellen A. Ryan and John P. Nolan. Frank was also the father of six children for whom he worked hard to provide a wonderful life and afford every opportunity to succeed: Francis J. (Julie) Nolan, Jr., Nancy (Ernest) Fink, Patti (late Al) DiBernardo, John P. (Stacey) Nolan, Ellen (Dominick) Brignola, and Kathleen (William) Mattar. He was born in Albany, N.Y., raised in Rensselaer, N.Y., and was brother of the late John (Jane) Nolan, the late Margaret (Joseph) Scambelluri, the late Ann (Nicholas) Stocklas, the late Patricia (Warren) Eldridge, the late Eileen (Allen) Schoonmaker, Bernadine (late Joseph) Geier, Geraldine (William) Scharoun, and Joan (late Stu) Adam. Frank is survived by 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren who will miss him terribly. He is remembered by each of them for being kind, generous, fun and loving. Frank attended Vincentian Institute and as a true American patriot, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Amphibious Forces serving in the Pacific during WWII. He later served bravely in Korea on the LST-979, which he loved to joke about being called the "long, slow target," and later in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in Poughkeepsie N.Y. After his service, he graduated from Siena College on the GI Bill with a Business degree. Frank rose through the ranks from auditor to the Director of Export Financing at General Motors Acceptance Corporation, which provided him the privilege of traveling the world from London to South America to the Middle East and Western Europe- of which he was very proud. Frank had a love for languages and enjoyed practicing French, Italian and Spanish whenever possible. Frank, a life-long learner and a devoted Catholic, loved to play Old-Timers softball and enjoyed his retirement in Boynton Beach, Florida, where he took bike rides, welcomed many family and friends, and doted on his canine companion, Holly. He often remarked on how much he loved his family and what a blessed and fulfilled life he'd led, filled with many happy memories. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or the SPCA. Calling hours to honor Frank's life will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at W.J Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home on 1700 Washington Ave Rensselaer, N.Y. There will be a mass of celebration held on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 53 Herrick St. Rensselaer, N.Y., at 10:00 am followed by burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush N.Y.