Obituary of James Stephen Dolan

Private Immediate Family only service at this time James Stephen Dolan August 3,1946 - April 23, 2020 On Thursday, April 23, 2020, Jim Dolan entered Heaven the way he entered life—prematurely. James Dolan was born August 3, 1946, two months early, and in those days a three-pound baby did not have much of a chance, but he was a fighter. His mother, Alice Hayes Dolan, spent her days at the hospital, with him and his father, Edward Dolan, who died just three months later of cancer. When he was five, Jim’s mother remarried. She and James John Porter gave Jim a half-brother, George J. Porter, who passed away at just 15. Jim went to Chelsea Vocational High School. He loved sports and was an avid basketball player. His hopes of becoming professional were dashed by an arm injury. On July 3, 1966, at a Fourth of July party he met the love of his life, Micheline Hull. He charmed her with his humor, wit and sleight-of-hand card tricks. One year later they became engaged. Jim attended Pace College in Manhattan and spent his entire working career at AT&T. He loved to play chess, was an avid science fiction fan, and had a vast collection of books of all kinds. He loved his church and church activities. Micki and Jim married on June 21, 1969 and had two children, Alyssandra Yeliena (Sasha)and Matthew Joshua. Alyssandra and her husband, Jose Luis Iudica, gave him three grandchildren whom he adored more than anything in the world, Emily Rachel, Michael Alexander, and Grace Josephine. Jim’s life, however, was plagued with illness. He fought and overcame, but in 2016 he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He fought and fought, but nothing worked on this last assault on his body. On April 23, 2020, though too soon for those he loved, the Lord said he had fought enough and took him home. He leaves behind, with broken hearts, his wife of 50 years, Micheline, his daughter, Alyssandra, son-in-law Jose, his son, Matthew, three precious grandchildren, Emily, Michael, and Grace, and “adopted” son Thomas Gaffney, Jim also leaves a brother, Joseph G. Dolan, and was predeceased by brothers, Edward Jr and George. His loss is also felt by many nieces and nephews. Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, his memorial service will be held at a later date, at The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, in Garden City, New York. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made, in his name to: Resurrection’s Christian Concern Fund, which helps individuals and families in need: Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 420 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530