WILLIAM J NOLAN - 1936 TO 2011 Memorial
Father, Educator, Teacher and Friend - Wallington HS NJ
http://BillNolan.us
Wiliam Joseph Nolan, Jr - Bill Nolan http://BillNolan.us NJ Wallington High School English professor - Nolan family memorial website - Our Nolan family is working to build this memorial website for our Father - We welcome letters, memories, prayers, funny stories, pictures, reflections and your fondest memories from families, friends, students and teachers.
If you would like to forward story via email we would very much welcome it. To Submit your materials, please email your story or memory to Memories@BillNolan.us -
How can we measure or sum up a 75 year Life - Our Family can't. As a teacher, DAD did help thousands of HS students for 39+ years in a very positive community of Wallington, NJ at Wallington High School. 1961 to 2000
We do appreciate the uplifting funny stories as well. We would like to welcome as many as possible from fellow teachers or students.
We appreciate all your email notes and contact info, but we will honor your privacy and not post the full contact info you send us. For website privacy purposes, we will edit Your full names from your email notes sent to us.
NO MONETARY COLLECTIONS OR FUNDS ARE NECESSARY OR NEEDED
WE THANK YOU FOR THESE NOTES, MEMORIES AND WISHES FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD
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Our Nolan family would like to thank the many
Wallington NJ families, colleagues, students at WHS Wallington BOE for
the great teaching career and work for 39+ years in a wonderful stable job environment.
Our Family is indebted to Wallington NJ - Thank You. We are very grateful for the good quality at work WHS in a great community with all the very nice families.
Without the work, our
Dad & entire family would not have been able to do so many things.
Our family will remember Wallington as a unique community with positive
values, where town's families still invite their children's teachers into their
home for a family dinners or celebrations. Highly unique in today's work world. This one example alone speaks volumes of
the Wallington community's priorities, extraordinary positive ethics and old world values.
Thank You
Wallington for being the champions for wonderful values and traditions.
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OTHER OBIT LISTINGS
MACAGNA DIFFILY - William Nolan Website at Macagna FH
William Nolan Obit - The Record Herald News NorthJersey.com Legacy.com
William J Nolan Obituary - The Star Ledger NJ.com Legacy.com
IN LIEU OF ANY FLOWERS the Nolan family asks any contributions or gifts be made to the
Rutherford NJ Volunteer First Aid Ambulance Corp, Inc.
Phone: (201) 939-8241
44 Ames Avenue, Rutherford, NJ 07070-1702
They have supported our family and many in the community. They do great work .
All Offerings or any TAX DEDUCTIBLE
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Remembrance for a WHS Teacher
I have many fond memories of his uniques way of related to the students year after year. I was a math teacher, but I was also involved in many written and spoken narratives and presentations as principal and Superintendent. Bill was always ready to remind me that he was the "word man" and I was the "numbers man". We spent a lot of time talking about kids, teachers, curriculum, etc. I was very happy to see him at my retirement dinner last June.
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Remembrance of Bill Nolan from his Cousin Joan W
I am a first cousin of Bill. I always enjoyed reminiscing with him about Union City and Jersey City and the old days, where we grew up. Bill and I were 3 years apart in age. As children we enjoyed playing together at the family get-togethers. He loved playing tricks on the older members. He was the apple of my grandmother's eye and he always made her and the family laugh a lot. He loved theatre and I remember going to see him in a high school show "Oklahoma" where he played the farmer. Another remembrance was when he used to come to our house on Sunday morning and have breakfast and go to my church, St. Anne's of Jersey City on JFK - Kennedy Blvd. .
We both took piano lessons with Miss Hagemann, only Billy turned out to be a much better student than me. As happens, as we got older we had different interests. Bill went on to be a wonderful teacher and world traveler, which is why he enjoyed watching "The Amazing Race" on TV, as did Ron & I, and we would discuss the show after watching it. We both married in 1960 and lived in the same apartment complex in Clifton.
With life's busy
schedules we didn't see much of each other, except at family functions.
When we both retired we re-connected again and enjoyed each other's company,
especially going to restaurants. One thing never changed though, and that
was our love for each other. We will miss him very much.
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M - Student WHS -class of 87
He was an inspiration not only to me but to over 4,000 students who sat in room 209 at Wallington High School during a distinguished career of 39 years. There are not enough metaphors or clichés in the English language to describe a man who lived life like very few people do. He was the most amazing person I ever known and the most influential in my life. I am what I am today because of him, and I know other people feel the same way. His classroom taught us more than just Shakespeare and the great authors of poetry, it taught us about life. Lessons that we didn't understand as young people, but only as we grew older. We all have stories and fond memories of his classes and experiences that we will never forget. We were all Mr. Nolan's students, a special fraternity of students throughout his 39 years. If you never took his class then you cannot understand or relate to the experiences we had in room 209 He allowed us to dream and to follow those dreams in life, teaching us that nothing in life is impossible. He traveled all over the world and shared with us the fine arts and culture from places that we only thought we would see in books. He challenged us to visit countries, museums, opera houses, as he would say "keep the arts alive." Today we can quote him, remember him, and mourn him. If we could live a fraction of his life then we should consider ourselves lucky. After high school, I had the opportunity to travel with him and see the places I had learned in humanities class. I saw four countries with him and traveled to several places in the United States. Each trip has stories and memories that will always bring a smile to my face. I was with him till the end and I am thankful for everything he has done for me and my family. The world needs more people like him, but God gave us only one Bill Nolan. M - Student WHS -class of 87
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G Student WHS 78
I would like to extend my condolences to the Nolan family on the recent loss of your dad. I’m sorry that family obligations prevented me from attending his life celebration and extend these condolences to you and your family in person. Luckily my brother was in town and able to pay our respects.
I’m glad that we were able to become friends through your father’s introductions and hope that we can get together in person soon since it has truly been too long since we last got together.
I did want to share with you, your family and his memorial web page if you like, a story about a memorable trip taken with your Dad a few years after graduating Wallington High.
Your dad, two other recent Wallington High graduates and I went with him on a two week trip out West one summer to climb down into the Grand Canyon and explore the surrounding states out West. His love of people, maps, travel, and adventure were evident as was the expectation that something special could and would most likely occur just like in his classroom setting.
He planned the trip in detail several months prior, handing each of us a six page, typewritten itinerary for us to review. It included not only the places we would visit, but the mileage, the hotels and names where we would stay; various elevations above and below sea level and poems; brief descriptions taken from guide books or other facts about places we would encounter on our journey or describe the sites we would see.
While traveling out in the middle of nowhere on a beautiful, hot, sunny, summer day between planned destinations; your dad decided we should take a detour off the main highway onto a dirt road that led straight into the beautiful, surrounding mountain ranges, and remote valley area beyond the highway in our rented Chrysler station wagon. We were game.
The dusty, winding deserted road took us further away from the highway and deeper into and among the growing mountains. We slowly crossed over the boulder filled road, through shallow raveens, around trees shrubs and occasionally passing white washed deer bones and skulls. The weather, as so often happens out West, started out sunny but gradually became colder and the originally cloudless sky started getting darker.
We traveled about an hour or so, the highway couldn’t be heard or seen for quite some time. We had not seen anyone behind or in front of us for the entire trip. We didn’t see any other tire tracks or signs of recent travel on our way. While crossing a dried out river bed our car stopped in the middle; our engine sputtered and died. We tried starting it but the engine clicked and wouldn’t start. We had plenty of gas and thought we could let the car cool down. An hour or so passed, the temperature was dropping, the clouds were almost black and we saw signs of heavy rain falling off in the distance. Here we were in the middle of nowhere, map less (no cell phones back then) in the middle of a flash flood river bed, waiting and hoping our car would start so we could at least move it out of the path of water that would surely come with the heavy rains falling in the far off distance.
As time slowly passed and just when things looked their bleakest, out in the distance your dad spotted some movement, possibly a dust cloud coming towards us from the opposite direction. After straining our eyes for twenty or more minutes we finally saw a sky blue pick up truck approaching us. It got closer and finally stopped next to us. Your dad approached the driver and his family to seek some help.
Only on adventure travels with Mr. Nolan could you expect to find that the driver and his family were Native American Indians on vacation travel. They only happened to detour onto this road to explore it. After explaining our situation to the driver, the Indian of little words said “vapor lock” and proceeded to get out of his truck. He went to his truck bed and pulled out a tool box. Turns out he is a vacationing Chrysler car mechanic that always travels with his tools on hand just in case. He gets under our car with his tools, removes a small section of the gas line, sucks on it till he gets gas in his mouth, spits out the gas and then reconnects the line. All this while his wife and two children are playing and talking with us. Of course, the car starts on the first try and we are off after thanking and unsuccessfully trying to pay the family for their assistance.
My travel companions and I were fortunate to enjoy this trip with him and it will always be in our memories just like his class teachings. He could turn the ordinary into the extraordinary and adventurous. He had magnetism for people, adventure, drama and travel that was contagious. I am grateful to you and your family for sharing him with me and the many other individuals that he impacted not only in the class room but beyond as well. He will truly be missed. G Student WHS 78
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From S WHS Student
Bill Nolan saved me from sleepwalking through life. I was phoning it in. I wasn't a bad kid. I was just apathetic.
Until I took Bill Nolan's Humanities class in junior year. It was as if a switch inside my brain turned on for the first time. Every other teacher I had before or after seemed gray and wooden compared to Mr. Nolan and his daily performance. His classroom in an underfunded, overlooked public school was his personal Globe Theater, where most of us were exposed to Shakespeare for the first time. And opera and ballet, for that matter.
I really was transformed. So much so that this uninterested teenager organized trips to Lincoln Center so we could see these great works on an even bigger stage.
Years later when I would call him to check in, I would try to explain exactly who I was. There were many students before me and even more after. When it finally clicked who I was, Mr. Nolan always remembered that I was the first student to insist we actually go see some of these performances in New York.
A few years ago I was inducted into the Wallington H.S. Hall of Fame. I was happy to publicly give Mr. Nolan the credit that inspired me to push myself, that took me to the four corners of the world as an anchor and correspondent at CNN. But while I was thanking him, I had to stop mid sentence and rebuke my favorite teacher of all time to stop talking, to behave. He was having a good old time in the back with other teachers. No doubt he had heard everything I was saying many times before, including from other inductees that very night.
On a couple of occasions I sent Mr. Nolan postcards from historic places that we studied, such as Rome and Ephesus. I thought this was clever. But he told me that many other students had done this, too. He had painted unforgettable pictures and I'm glad so many of us remembered him when we finally got there.
Mr. Nolan and I also spoke about his work since "retiring". I put that word in quotes because he was so busy he never really had time to get together when I called. He was going to see his kids or heading back to Russia, where he helped establish an orphanage.
Bill Nolan really is a Life Saver.
Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.
With love and eternal thanks,
From S WHS Student
U K – Student Wallington HS – class of 68
Mr. Nolan was one of my favorite teachers not only at WHS,
but in my
long-standing career as a student. I immigrated to the US from Poland
and started 8th grade at WHS, speaking very little English. Even in
9th grade, I was not particularly comfortable conversing with
most
of my classmates, nor speaking in class. When we studied Macbeth with
Mr. Nolan, he once assigned us to memorize one of the soliloquies:
" Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
William Shakespeare - Macbeth, Act V, scene 5
If I remember correctly, he asked only me to recite the soliloquy,
which I did, however, with much embarrassment.
This was his way of encouraging me to engage in conversations with
my
fellow students. Perhaps his comment remained ineffective while I was
at WHS, but it clearly has had its effect since then. As a scientist,
I frequently present lectures, still speaking in my heavily
accented
English..
I regret never visiting him after I left WHS. Owing to the short
notice and a long distance to travel from Washington,
DC, to NJ, I
also regret not being able to attend the funeral service in his
honor. My sincere condolences to Mr. Nolan's family.
May he rest in peace. Czesc Jego Pamieci.
U K – Student Wallington HS – class of 68
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J R A Neighbor - I lived next door to your dad 1994 to 2000
I am so very sorry to hear that your dad passed away. He was one of the most interesting, intelligent, fascinating people I've ever met.
I was always impressed by your father's great intellect and love of culture. We certainly had many conversations about books and music and theater. And I was amazed by his determination to do things himself! He did all that work on the house by himself, and given its age and problems, there was much work to be done. But he was a determined man, in many ways.
I know that he had a great impact on his students. One of my husbands co-workers had grown up in Wallington and told him that your dad was the best teacher she ever had. She went on to quite a career as a reporter; and has been on TV, including CNN.
I hope you have good memories of your dad. And that you can be comforted by the fact that he was quite a presence for many people, and always will be.
I wish you and your family the best. JR
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M K Student from WHS class of 1982 - NOW A TEACHER
First let me send my deepest sympathies to Mr. Nolan's family for their loss.
Mr. Nolan was a wonderful teacher and mentor. He made learning interesting. I am the teacher I am because of him. Shakespeare was always fun because of him.
Jumping on the window sill with his yard stick for a sword! What a site.
I remember when we had to learn a sonnet or poem....i can still hear everyone reiterating their choice to a beat.
"How do i love thee...let me count the ways.." .
that was the one i chose... thank you to the Nolan family for giving those who loved your father a wonderful place to memorialize him.
Quoting Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act II, Sc. II
Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Sleep with the angels valiant one,
M K Student from WHS class of 1982 - NOW A TEACHER
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FROM G P - Student Class of 1975 Wallington HS Wallington NJ
I was one of Mr. Nolan's many students at Wallington High, and I hope
his entire family takes some comfort from the extent of his
influence. I can't say that I have very many specific
memories...after all, I was in only one of his classes, senior year
English Literature, and that was 36 years ago. The amazing thing to me
is that although the details are but a blur due to the onslaught of
the years, the overwhelming sense of his class remains vivid.
The last time I saw Mr. Nolan was when I asked him to sign my senior yearbook
in 1975, yet despite the fact that I have not seen him since then, I
have thought of him often, and that will not change simply because he
is no longer physically present here among us.
When I hear a quote from Hamlet, I think of him. When I watch a film where the hero is a teacher...Goodbye Mr. Chips, To Sir with Love, Dead Poets Society..
.I think of him. When I was walking the hillsides of Grasmere and
visiting Wordsworth's grave, I thought of him. When I myself am
planning a lecture and trying to involve the students, I think of him.
I wish I could go back in time to that classroom (room 209?) as
a fly on the wall and watch and learn exactly how he did it. How did
he get us involved in literature and poetry when others couldn't? I
still remember reciting and listening repeatedly to the soliloquys
from Hamlet (Oh that this too, too solid flesh would melt...), yet the
memory that most exemplifies his effect is not from the classroom.
I was on the track team and we were on a bus going to a track meet, and
I can still remember members of the track team loudly and exuberantly
reciting stanzas from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner on the bus.
That still seems unreal to me...reciting poetry out loud together on
the way to an athletic event! But that was Mr. Nolan's effect.
I keep remembering quotes from his class that are somewhat appropriate for this time. This one from teh Ancient Mariner is about sleep but it could easily be extended to the eternal sleep. Ah sleep, it is a gentle thing, Beloved from pole to pole. To Mary Queen the praise be given, She sent the gentle sleep from heaven That slid into my soul.
All I know is that Mr. Nolan was a gifted, gifted teacher. I never got the opportunity to tell him that, and wanted to ensure that the family knows how much he was appreciated by his students...at reunions when we ask who was our favorite teacher, I'd estimate that ~75% respond Mr. Nolan.
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MG Rutherford NJ
I got to know Dr. Bill from living next door to him since 2007. Such a charmer he is, and he definitely had the most beautiful garden on the block. It was always nicer than mine, and Bill was constantly giving me pointers. We'd often exchange light, pleasant conversation across the fence while weeding our gardens. I'd say, "Dr. Bill, you're house sure is beautiful." Bill replied, "Suuuuuuure, very old. One of the oldest in town.
In 1960, I paid $27,000 for it."
I'd rely, "Wow! That's unbelievable ." Bill came back, "You're not kidding.
See that CAR out there on the street?" I say, "Yes..." Bill, "In 2003, you know how much I paid for it? $27,000."
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ----Greetings to the family of Mr. Nolan,
I offer my sincere condolences at this sad time.
Mr. Nolan was an exceptional man, truly, a gentleman and a scholar. I was
so lucky to have been his student in several classes back in the mid to late
70's at WHS. I recall with such fondness his classroom "antics" that were
such a part of his unique style. I can confidently say that the contents of
his classes are really all I remember from those days! His dramatic
presentations of Shakespeare (with fake skull in hand), his dry sense of
humor, even the way in which he'd address some of my classmates (by last
name, as if it were their first names!). Oh, he was quite the character!
You all must have been so proud of the teacher he was. I feel blessed to
have known him and learned from him. I'm grateful, too, that you have
offered all of us a place to reminisce about the wonderful teacher he was.
I wish you peace, JKE Student WHS -
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Hello Mr. Nolan was my English teacher in high school and I am not 26-years-old. The best way I can describe him would be "a character." He always expected the best out of the Honors class that I was in and he settled for nothing less.
I loved how he would read The Cask of Amontillado to us and use accents. I loved that he taught us Latin. I loved his stories about his travels and the things he'd bring in to show us like his giant fur hat with the earflaps. The funny things stick out the most, like how he was attacked by a monkey while on a sightseeing tour (I'm pretty sure he impersonated the monkey) or how he could spend hours (literally) in the map section of Barnes&Noble.
He also singled out my friend Jeff in class and referred to him as "Pip" for the entire year. He was defnately a good teacher and encouraged me to write, which I love to do as a hobby these days, and read.
Some might have seen him as rough but I enjoyed his teaching style and definately learned from him. He will always be remembered.
M T - Student Wallington High School
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PRIVACY - ABOVE LETTERS WERE EMAILED TO OUR THIS SITE FOR POSTING - NAMES WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EMAIL LETTERS
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Professor Bill and Tatiana 2002 - Kazan Opera House - Russia
William J Nolan - (January 8, 1936 - February 21, 2011)
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OUR FAMILY THANKS YOU EVERYONE BELOW FOR THE PUBLIC GUESTBOOK - POSTINGS AND CONDOLENCES.
ALL NOTES BELOW ARE FROM OPENLY PUBLISHED POSTINGS DIRECT BY THEIR WRITERS - FROM PUBLISHED GUEST BOOKS ON THE INTERNET
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BELOW POSTING FROM Guest Book at MACAGNA DIFFILY GUESTBOOK
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Carole D S Sparta Nj February 25, 2011 10:34 AM
Dear Family Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
He is surrounded by many who have gone before.
So his homecoming must have been amazing. Love Carole Tony & Family
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Ross I Wallington and West Milford NJ February 25, 2011 9:31 AM
"Goodnight Sweet Prince, may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest"...
Tony and Lis C - Hawthorne, NJ - February 25, 2011 6:51 AM
Dear Eric and family, Please accept our condolences on the loss of your Dad.
It sounds like he had a full life and will be well missed. (Cousin)Tony and Lis
PATRICIA P C - SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - February 24, 2011
Dear Children..... Bill was a special part of my childhood and I was saddened to hear of his death. My family is holding all of you in our thoughts and prayers as you go through the next few days! We are all blessed to have shared such great moments together!
Helen M L - Culver Lake, NJ - February 24, 2011 3:13 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I will pass this along to
those that will have remembered him and your family.
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Dennis S - North Haledon, NJ - February 24, 2011 10:49 AM
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Bill, I'm sure he was a fine man
simply based on the good character and integrity exemplified by his son, my friend.
May God bless his soul and give him eternal rest and reward.
Gina P Bradley Beach NJ - February 24, 2011 9:04 AM
To all the Nolan family, please accept my sincere condolences on the death of William. Your dear father is in my prayers and you are all surrounded in beautiful white light together. I wish you peace and blessings at this sad time.
Love, Gina
ABOVE POSTINGS FROM MACAGNA GUESTBOOK
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OUR FAMILY THANKS YOU FOR YOUR GUESTBOOK POSTINGS AND CONDOLENCES.
ALL NOTES BELOW ARE FROM OPENLY PUBLISHED POSTINGS DIRECT BY THEIR WRITERS - FROM PUBLISHED GUEST BOOKS ON THE INTERNET
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THE NOLAN FAMILY THANKS YOU FOR THESE NOTES
BELOW FULL GUEST BOOK POSTINGS FROM LEGACY.COM NORTHJERSEY.COM
Adrienne (Offt) Pohrischak, Wood-ridge, New Jersey
March 05, 2011
To the family of Mr. Nolan. As my friend Barbara stated on February 24th, I was also in his English class (1964-1965). I can still see him with a "babushka" on his head (Polish for a scarf on his head, hope I spelled it correctly) pretending to be an actor in a play by Shakespeare. He helped all of us understand and appreciate Shakespeare. I loved literature because of him. He was also one of my favorite teachers, he made his classes so interesting. Please accept my condolences, he was a great man.
Adrienne (Offt) Pohrischak, Wood-ridge, New Jersey
Robert Stefanik, Fair Lawn, New Jersey March 01, 2011
Bill Nolan was the best teacher I ever had at WHS.
I can't remember a day that he didn't give 100%.
Christopher T , Waldwick, New Jersey February 26, 2011 -
Mr. Nolan was one of only a few teachers who had the ability to take a class from their seats and bring them "into" the actual works that we were studying, making it feel like we WERE the story. I am touched by him for the rest of my life and hope to be as good a person as he was so I can see him again.
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Marcia McLaughlin, Montego Bay February 25, 2011 -
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
I am truly saddened to hear of Mr. Nolan's passing. He made the arts and architecture of Europe and ancient civilizations come alive for me. How thrilling it was to see the buildings and works of art I read about in Mr. Nolan's class. He opened up the world to us and expanded our imaginations far beyond the boundaries of Wallington. To this day I still rely on his Latin and Greek prefixes and suffixes.
To the Nolan family thank you for sharing him with us. His legacy lives on not just in your memories but in all of his kids he's taught for so many years.
May God bless you all!
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Jason Pyryt, Townsend, Delaware February 25, 2011
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com My sympathies to Mr Nolan's family. He was a good man and great teacher that left his mark on the world.
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Kathy Moskal Haboob, Wyckoff, New Jersey February 25, 2011 -
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com To the family of Mr.Nolan, your wonderful father was my English/Humanities teacher at Wallington HS (1970-74) His love of literature,the Arts and life was infectious. I credit him and thank him often for opening my eyes to the wonders of the Arts and literature, so long ago...He was truly a "one of a kind" teacher that touched so many students' lives in our small little town.God Bless Mr.Nolan and my sympathies to your family.
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Jim Seeley, Tustin, California February 25, 2011 -
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
Wild Bill Nolan is how I fondly remember him. He made English fun! One of the only classes I made sure to attend every day.
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
Mr Nolan played many parts & played them extraordinarily well. He will be welcomed in heaven & missed here on earth. My condolances to his family. May you R.I.P. Mr. Nolan.
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Mariann Krakosky, Garfielod, New Jersey February 24, 2011 - -
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. Mr.Nolan was one of a kind. He sparked interests in so many. With me it was my love of opera. I never would have gone without him! Mr.Nolan will be remembered fondly by every student he touched.
Blessed Be, Mr.Nolan
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Christine Kopec, Reno, Nevada February 24, 2011 -
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
Dear Family, I would only be repeating what everyone else has already said. He was one of the best memories of my high school years (Class of 1968). He was my English teacher and homeroom teacher and the only person in the world who could make Shakespeare so exciting. Everyone who knew him will remember him always - he was an exceptional person. My condolences to the family
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Susan Koczwara, Hamburg, New Jersey February 24, 2011 -
As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
My deepest condolences to the Nolan family. I had the pleasure of being in Mr. Nolan’s 8th grade English and 12th grade Humanities classes during my high school years of 1974-1978. His exuberance in the classroom and dedication to the success of his students made him an educator one remembers fondly for a lifetime. He had the innate ability to foster an appreciation of and eagerness to learn any topic he taught…thank you Mr. Nolan, you made the study of Shakespeare enjoyable!
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Rhys Mathews, Fair Lawn, New Jersey February 24, 2011 -
As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
Everything everybody has written is so true. From his passion to his knowledge of the English word. As I've stated many times in my adult life he was by far my favorite teacher. Had the opportunity of seeing him about a year ago. It brought back such good memories. He will be missed. Heaven has a great addition. Thanks for the memories Mr. Nolan. You have served your time here well. "To be or not to be....."
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Joanne Eckert (Klamerus), Wallington, New Jersey February 24, 2011
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
My sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Nolan. He was an exceptional teacher. I was fortunate to have had several classes with him in the mid-70's. I am left with such fond memories of his classroom style. Mr. Nolan, may you rest peacefully in the arms of the angels.
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Michele (Hammerstedt) Cali, Algonquin, Illinois February 24, 2011
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
I was a student of your fathers (1980-1984) at Wallington High School. He was a dynamic teacher and person. I liked coming from a boring lecture class into his classroom, knowing that it was going to be lively and he would be jumping on chairs and reciting Shakespeare and Poems. Challenging us with the written word. I was fortunate to know him, he sparked an interest for me in theatre. My thoughts and prayers are with him. So sorry for your loss.
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Donna Whitzell, New Jersey February 24, 2011
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
Mr Nolan was my HS Homeroom and English/Lit teacher (Class of 1980). He was an amazing teacher who loved what he did and it showed in the students who were fortunate enough to learn from him. His mark has been left on many of Wallington Students as he will always be remembered. My condolences to his family in this time of sorrow.
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Barbara Fedorchak, Fair Lawn, New Jersey February 24, 2011
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com NorthJersey.com
Dear Family, my deepest condolences to you for your loss. Your father was my English teacher at Wallington High School in my senior year [1964-1965]. He was absolutely wonderful; so passionate, especially with Shakespeare. I still remember his assignment to memorize a soliloquy from Macbeth and then recite it in class. He also took us on a trip to McCarter Theatre in Princeton to see Julius Caesar. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with him. Barbara [Stefanik] Fedorchak
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THE NOLAN FAMILY THANKS YOU FOR THESE NOTES
ABOVE FULL GUEST BOOK POSTINGS FROM LEGACY.COM NORTHJERSEY.COM
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OUR FAMILY THANKS YOU FOR YOUR GUESTBOOK POSTINGS AND CONDOLENCES.
ALL NOTES BELOW ARE FROM OPENLY PUBLISHED POSTINGS DIRECT BY THEIR WRITERS - FROM PUBLISHED GUEST BOOKS ON THE INTERNET
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Brenda (Sulick) Jacobson, Davie, Florida
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com February 26, 2011
I can only image what went on in heaven when Mr. Nolan met William Shakespeare. Who was more appreciative of the other? Mr. Nolan changed many lives through his imaginative and gifted teaching. So many of us are better people for it. I am eternally thankful for what you bestowed upon me. Rest in peace. You left this world a much better place than you found it.
Greg Prelich, New Rochelle, New York
- As originally posted to guestbook on Legacy.com February 26, 2011
He was simply the best teacher I have ever known. It is said that a teacher never knows where his influence ends. Bill Nolan's influence lives on
Susan Lisovicz, Phoenix, Arizona February 25, 2011
"Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow."
Rest in peace, Mr. Nolan. Teacher, Humanitarian, Changer of Lives.
With eternal thanks
Michael Lucchetti, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania February 24, 2011
Bill was my English and Humanities teacher as a senior at Wallington High School 36 years ago. He introduced me to the wonders of Shakespeare
Anonymous February 24, 2011
Bill was my English and Humanities teacher as a senior at Wallington High School 36 years ago. He introduced me to the wonders of Shakespeare
G Panayoti, Elmwood Park, New Jersey February 24, 2011
Bill Nolan was the epitome of what being a great teacher is all about. Who could forget him standing on his desk belting out Shakespeare without a book. "Cowards die many times before their deaths" but Bill lived a full, rich life that he shared with all of us. For that I am grateful.
Scott Goodman, Dallas, Texas February 24, 2011
Bill was a true Gentleman, respected and revered in Opera Circles. The joy and pleasure of his intellect and appreciation of operas nationally and internationally. Texas loved Bill.
Kathy Takacs-Ferrentino, Hopatcong, New Jersey February 24, 2011
35 years after graduating high school if someone were to ask me my all time favorite teacher, without a moments hesitation, Bill Nolan would be my answer. His unique teaching style touched every one of his students more than he could have ever imagined. Thank you for enriching our lives. You will forever be remembered.
Krystyna Sewastianowicz-Pfeifer, Lopatcong Township, New Jersey February 24, 2011
When I think of Mr. Nolan, the first thought that comes to mind is his standing on a chair reciting Shakespeare. His way of teaching made you want to come to class because you never knew what was gong to happen. Heaven has a very special angel. Rest in Peace, Mr. Noaln.
Christine Stodolak, Wallington, New Jersey February 24, 2011
What my tongue dares not that my heart shall say - William Shakespeare.
May your heart and soul find peace and comfort.
Christine Aiazzone-Astipalitis, Moundsville, West Virginia February 24, 2011
Mr. Nolan was a one-of-a kind teacher and he will always be remembered for his Shakespeare theatrics in the classroom. He had a rare talent to draw his students into his literary world thus making you learn and remember. I am proud to have been one of his students and he lives on in each and every student he taught. Heaven will be blessed by his spirit. Rest in peace, Mr. Nolan.
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I wish I could have taken his Humanities class, I wish I could have known him better, I wish I had somehow relayed to him how much his class meant to me after leaving WHS, but I am eternally grateful for that one year in that one class. I feel fortunate indeed to have known him. "His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man!'"
G P WHS Class of '75