OBITUARY
Jonathan Wallace Nolan
November 5, 1948 – November 8, 2013
Jonathan Wallace Nolan, 65, of Portland, Maine, died Friday after living for two years with advanced esophageal cancer. He was born in Portland, on November 5, 1948, the son of Herbert Wallace Nolan and Diane Kremm Nolan, and attended Portland public schools, Hyde School and Beloit College during the turbulent 1960s. He left college in his sophomore year and began a life of adventure, working for sail lofts in Portland and Ireland and then crewing for two years on an Ocean 71, Miss Two, during which he made three transatlantic voyages. In 1976 he returned to Maine to work for Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. He served in a number of capacities for ten years at their Hurricane Island base and then as director of the Florida Sea Program in the Florida Keys, making life-long friends who were a source of laughter and support to him through his life. In 1986, he started FineLines Construction with a friend, building and renovating houses in the Portland area, including four on Cushings Island, where he had grown up and his family has gathered for four generations. After a number of years working for Resort Sports Network, where he was able to travel and indulge in his passion for skiing, he took on what he viewed as the best job ever – being a stay-at-home dad to his three small children. Through his activities with his children, he became an energetic and enthusiastic volunteer and advocate for Portland’s Longfellow Elementary and King Middle Schools, where he worked to strengthen their fundraising efforts. At the time of his cancer diagnosis and subsequent retirement, he was King Middle School’s partnership developer. He leaves his wife, Eliza Cope Nolan, his three children, Oliver, Robert and Sophia, his siblings, Amy Nolan Osborn, Victoria Nolan Crolius and Herbert W. Nolan, Jr., and their families, the extended Cope family, and his family of friends. A fund has been established in Jonathan’s memory to benefit King Middle School. Gifts may be made to the “Jonathan Nolan Make Stuff Happen Fund” c/o Michael McCarthy, King Middle School, 92 Deering Avenue, Portland, Maine 04102. A memorial and celebration of Jonathan’s life will occur at King Middle School on Saturday, November 16th at 2 p.m. All are welcome. Care for Jonathan and his family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home of Portland, ME.
Services
- Celebration of Life Saturday, November 16, 2013
REMEMBERING
Jonathan Wallace Nolan
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RECEIVE UPDATESpaul balser
November 17, 2013
to the whole clan - jonathan was always someone to look to for guidance, friendship and inspiration. whether as part of the cushing's community, or as my HIOBS instructor - he was always there as a guide. my deepest condolences - paul balser, jr.
November 16, 2013
Thank you for the memories!! Such a special place in my heart. My favorite philosopher...phi·los·o·pher noun \f?-'lä-s(?-)f?r\
: a person who studies ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc.
Frank will be very excited to greet you!! Play hard boys!!
Love, Mo
Mark Bryant
November 16, 2013
Liza, kids and Nolan Family,
We are saddened by the loss but proud of a life well lived by our cousin Jonathan. With you always,
Mark
Daniel Porta
November 16, 2013
Eliza, Oliver, Robert and Sophia,
We are so very sorry for Jonathan's passing. I admire courage above all other human virtues. Jonathan will remain an inspiration to me because of his courage these last two years. May Jonathan's memory be a blessing on our neighborhood. Peace to you all.
Dan and Lois Porta
Diane Smith
November 16, 2013
My condolences to Eliza and family. I worked with Jonathan in the 1980's when he did some work on the administrative side at Hurricane Island. He stands out in my memory as a wonderful human being who was fun to be around--I know my life was made better knowing him way back then.
Jeff Davison
November 15, 2013
Eliza and Family,
I never knew Jonathan really well, but he was the type of person you felt would be great to get to know and you would really be enriched for the connection. Regretfully, I was making plans to visit him just as he was being taken by his illness. Jonathan came by our house once when I was in the throws of improving a derelict house that we purchased and I was feeling overwhelmed. Jonathan sensed that emotion and understood it, having been in my position many times. He offered encouragement, praise and made me feel good about our choices. All done with that endearing smile. A great man indeed and he will surely be missed.
My Sincere Condolences,
Jeff Davison
Nathan Smith Family
November 14, 2013
Jonathan had such an infectious laugh and smile. When Dana and Jack babysat Oliver, Robert and Sophia, they always said how much they enjoyed the warmth and energy of these kids, no doubt a reflection of their father! While we won't have Jonathan physically with us, his spirit will be remembered and expressed by those who knew and loved him. Our love and prayers to you all from the Smiths, Nathan, Eleanor, Jack and Dana.
November 14, 2013
Dear Liza and Family,
My condolences, thoughts and prayers on the passing of Jonathan. Do your best to focus on the many happy times you shared together.
Sincerely,
Mr. A (Charlie Aleksiewicz)
Trish Lyell
November 13, 2013
oh Liza. I wish I could live this backwards-in reading the heartfelt, vivid article about Jonathan's death, I so want to meet him and now I can't. Reading what his/your friends have said here makes clear he was someone special indeed. I am sending much love and sympathy, from an old, if not often seen, friend...Trish
Lauren Shuster
November 13, 2013
Dearest Eliza and family, On behalf of your fellow Bancroft classmates, I wish to extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. With sincerest sadness, and sending you hugs, I am thinking of you.
Julie Sgarzi
November 13, 2013
Eliza, Amy, Victoria, Herbert, Oliver, Robert and Sophia: my heart goes out to each of you. Jonathan was such a spirited and gifted man, sharing his deep love of life with all in his orbit. His smile, laugh and contagious sense of adventure stays with me as I know it does with you. From our first meeting at 18 till his last days, Jonathan made me feel a welcomed part of the Nolan clan that I have come to know and love through Amy. I will miss him and cherish my memories of times shared and knowing how much he meant to so many. With Metta and heartfelt sympathy.
Gregg Painter
November 12, 2013
Dear Nolans, Jonathan added more light and laughter to the world than one man could be expected to give. You are a wonderful family, and I am saddened that you have lost Jonathan.
Alison Leavitt
November 12, 2013
Dearest Eliza and family,
It is with such a heavy heart that I write to you, but with such wonderful memories from the day of your wedding to the hours spent with Jonathan working on projects at King. We are all fortunate to have spent time basking in the amazing enthusiasm and spirit that filled any room where Jonathan was present. Much love to you all,
Ali(and Sophia and Nico)
Peter Bartram
November 12, 2013
Our heart felt sorrow from Odysseus watch. Thirty-seven years later Jonathan influence on our lives still lives on. I have a very fond memory of him, one breezy August afternoon just north of Hurricane under sail probably making about 4 knots, Jonathan decided unbeknownst to us to have a man overboard drill. Our team had gotten very good at recognizing the sign, one of them saw him reach for the float and took it from him before he could toss it over the side. Not to be out smarted by the crew, Jonathan rolled over the gunwale and into the water and forcing us into the real thing. The funniest part was a lobersterman that was near by came to his rescue before we could get back to him and Jonathan had to convince him that it was a drill. The image of him in the water next to the lobsterman is still in my mind. We did manange to execute the man overboard drill flawlessly and get him back on board. It was indeed a pleasure and an honor to have shared that part of his life with him. I never saw him again after Outward Bound but he lived on in spirit for me.
Warm Regards,
November 12, 2013
Dear Nolan Family:
Our family sends our sympathy and love. Jonathan was one of those unique individuals that could come into your life get you to smile in New York minute. He touched so many people and created so many fun loving stories that his spirit will forever be felt by his friends. - Rory & the Strunk Family
Janet Lizotte
November 11, 2013
Eliza and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know that Jonathan will be missed and the memories of him treasured.
Dianna Flight
November 11, 2013
Dear Eliza, family and friends... My heart is with all of you at this very sad time. Jonathan was and always will be remembered as one of the best of the best....loving, kind, generous and sweet with a super smile & sense of humor! Blessings & much love to all.... Dianna Flight
November 10, 2013
Dearest Nolan Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Jonathan will remain in our family's heart and memories---from soccer games (parent/kid -Johnathan playing goalie!) to swim team, to sleep-overs for the girls. His spirit was strong and his smile infectious! XO!
Rachel
Mary and Joe Oakley
November 10, 2013
Our hopes and prayers are with you, Eliza, and with your children. Life is often unfair and often too short.
Terri Linehan
November 10, 2013
Dear Nolan Family; From the bottom of my heart I am so very, very sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting Jonathan in the early 2000's at a PPS Focus Group. He was so proud of all of you, his eyes sparkled the brightest when he spoke of each of you. And speak he did, I felt as though I knew you all long before we had ever met. Jonathan's contributions to the world are too numerous to count. Generations of Portland Public School students will benefit from his dedication. Reflecting on our Longfellow PTO time together, Jonathan was so intense in his passion, he inspired others to join in. No task was ever to small or to grand to tackle.
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. With Love, Terri (aka Mrs Linehan) 756-5935
Tim Myers
November 10, 2013
Since first we met, on a cold December day, wind surfing on Back Cove (long before we had children), taming the elements to pursue passions, I knew this one very special human being.
I will always remember Jonathan as THAT person. Unafraid of the adversities life presents to each and every one of us.
He affected so many by just being himself.
A great, giving, humble man, taken from this world far too soon.
Neal Pratt
November 10, 2013
Eliza and Family: Larissa and I extend our deepest sympathies on your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Julie Peterson
November 10, 2013
Rest (and then kick a##) in Peace, Jonathan.
FROM THE FAMILY
IN THE CARE OF