YARMOUTH – John P. Nolan, Sr., of Yarmouth, passed peacefully on Oct. 3, 2022, surrounded by his family. Born on July 14, 1934 in Glen Ridge, N.J. to Eleanor and Edward Nolan, “Bud,” was one of seven siblings and will be best remembered as a devoted husband to his wife, Janet Higgins Nolan, a cherished father to his four children, and a loving grandfather to nine grandsons.

While attending the University of Maine at Orono, where he and Janet met, Bud was elected to the Phi Mu Delta fraternity and nominated to the Sophomore Owl Honor Society. He graduated in 1957 with a degree in Forestry, and fulfilled his ROTC commitment in the Army Reserves, graduating as a first lieutenant. He was subsequently posted at Fort Benning, Ga., rising to the rank of captain. Bud spent his career with the New Jersey Bell Co., starting as a lineman and retiring 35 years later as director of labor relations.

Bud and Janet retired to the Telluride, Colo. area, where they built their dream home and Bud enjoyed challenging himself in his favorite pastimes, fishing, hiking and skiing. Upon returning to Maine full time, Bud spent most summer days at the family’s beloved lakeside camp, “Nolwyd,” in Mount Vernon. There he enjoyed bird watching, splitting wood, whistling while he worked, and playing in corn hole competitions with his grandsons.

In recent years, Bud enthusiastically rehabilitated a walking path to the Royal River near his last home at Blueberry Cove in Yarmouth. The community recognized his efforts with a granite bench in his honor. Bud also volunteered many hours at Partners for World Health, redistributing donated hospital supplies for use in third world countries.

Bud was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Eleanor Vermillion.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brothers Edward Nolan, Jr., Ronald Nolan, Roger Nolan, and sisters Thelma Brown and Carol McGavin. His devoted children are Lisa (André) Boudreau, of Block Island, R.I., Lorie (Scott) Dorrance of Cape Elizabeth, John (Jennifer) Nolan, Jr., of Falmouth, and Brent (fiancée Leslie) Nolan of Vassalboro. His grandsons, who’ve inherited Bud’s humor, energy and love of the out-of-doors, are (oldest-to-youngest), Hunter, Connor (Molly), Nolan, Weston, Miles, Jared, Andre, Jacques and Erik. Bud also leaves many nieces and nephews.

John and Janet were avid supporters of the University of Maine Foundation and members of the Stillwater Society.

A celebration of Bud’s life will take place in November. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

Gifts in memory of John Nolan may be made at

our.umaine.edu/nolanj

to be added to the

John P. Nolan ’57,

Janet Higgins Nolan ’57,

John P. Nolan, Jr. ’92

and Jennifer R. Nolan Scholarship.

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