Bernard Nolan

Bernard Nolan Died April 6, 2018 in Sarasota, Florida. Bernard was born in Ireland in 1941 to Bridget and John Nolan, the fifth of their seven children. He received his secondary education at Rockwell College, a Catholic boys’ boarding school in Co. Tipperary, where he excelled at rugby. He went on to do a medical degree at the National University of Ireland and immigrated to Canada in 1968, completing his orthopedic surgery training at the University of Toronto. Under the auspices of the global humanitarian organization, CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere), he coordinated the Orthopedic Training Program at Kassar Said Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia from 1973 to 1975, working to train Tunisian orthopedists. He returned to Canada in 1976, signing on as an orthopedic surgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital in Montreal and serving as a clinical teacher with the University of Montreal. Later, he spent six months in Bangladesh, doing aid work as an orthopedist, and also worked in Honduras. In 1977, he became an orthopedic surgeon with Lancaster-Fairfield Community Hospital in Lancaster, Ohio, where he remained until his retirement in 2001. While in Lancaster, he also chaired the Lancaster Public Library board of directors. In retirement, he lived in Princeton, New Jersey, Raleigh, North Carolina and Sarasota, Florida. During this time, he pursued a life-long love of learning, auditing numerous classes in history, politics, and the classics at Ohio University and Princeton University. Known for his wit and intellect, Bernard excelled in both the sciences and the humanities. Although his degree was in medicine, he could also recite much poetry from memory, including poems by William Butler Yeats, Percy Shelley, and William Wordsworth, as well as Latin verse (learned during his years at Rockwell College). Bernard also had a keen interest in current events. Reading and subscribing to several newspapers daily, Bernard never lost his moral outrage at the exploitation of the weak by the strong. Nevertheless, he managed to combine a knowledge of the ills of the world with an optimism regarding humanity’s potential to create better and more just societies. Bernard put his optimism into action by working for humanitarian organizations, donating to their causes, attending marches, and working on political campaigns. Always curious and willing to try new adventures, Bernard travelled the world and, in his 50s, learned to play the piano (fulfilling a childhood dream). A lifelong humanitarian, Bernard practiced the golden rule of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” He was an enthusiastic cheerleader for his two daughters, spending hours discussing their dreams and ideas with them. He could always be counted upon to support them in all their endeavors. Bernard also promoted the success of many other young people, advising them and mentoring them in ways that left a lasting positive influence on their lives. Throughout his time on this earth, Bernard was known for his great sense of humor. He was always ready to laugh, both at himself and at the absurdities of life, a gift he retained even in illness. He is survived by his wife Mary Nolan of Sarasota, FL; two daughters Jusna Nolan, of Toronto, Canada and Nicole Nolan Sidhu (Rajinder), of Rochester, NY, whom he shared with former spouse, Phyllis Fitzsimmons; grandchildren Ciaran, Naveen, and Sitara Sidhu; brothers Brendan Nolan and John Nolan, of Ireland. As well as his parents, Bernard was preceded in death by his sisters Annette (who died in infancy) and Marie Nolan, and his brothers Nicholas and Adrian Nolan.

Bernard Nolan

May 29, 1941 - April 6, 2018