Joseph J. Dolan, of Smithfield, North Carolina, formerly Guilford, Connecticut.

Joe, a former resident of Guilford, Connecticut, and teacher and principal at Melissa Jones School in North Guilford for thirty years, passed away on May 22 at the age of 91 years.

Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 5th, 1924 to Anna Brice and Joseph F. Dolan.

He relocated to Leetes Island with his parents at an early age. He attended a one room school house on Moosehill Road for two years, before transferred to Church Street School, now the location of the Park and Recreation Department.

Upon graduation from Guilford High School, Joe joined the Navy. He served on an aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Cowpens, as a quartermaster, in the South Pacific for two years.

In 1949, he graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a B.S. Degree in Health and Physical Education. He continued his education with another B.S Degree in Elementary Education at Southern Connecticut State University. He pursued a Master's Degree in Administration from New York University.

He taught for three years in the Deep River School System, followed by another three years in West Haven, Connecticut. His next move was his last, when he accepted a position at the Guilford Middle School as a sixth grade teacher. After three years at the middle school, he was reassigned to Melissa Jones School as a fifth grade teacher and principal. He remained at Melissa Jones School as a principal until his retirement in 1986. In the fall of 1986 he was called out of retirement to be principal of Calvin Leete School for two years on a part-time basis. He continued working another year when Nils Peterson, acting superintendant, recalled him again to assist in the central office. Coordinator of the school's buses was his role for the next four years until he finally retired.

He was a member of the National Education Association, the Connecticut Education Association, the Guilford Teachers' Association, and the New England School Development Educational Council. He served on the Guilford Park and Recreation Commission for four years.

Following the death of his wife of fifty years, Edwina, he relocated to St. Simons Island, Georgia in 1996. There he served as chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4092 on St. Simons Island. He was an usher at St. Williams Catholic Church and an active member in the Prime Timers senior group. He also was a dedicated volunteer at St. Simons Elementary School.

He is survived by one son, Robert, two daughters, Carole Dolan and Linda Smith, a son in law, Harry Smith, five grandchildren, Megan, Melissa, Brian, Craig, and Chad, and three great-grandchildren, Landon, Madison, and Savannah.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Guilford Park and Recreation or Hospice House of Smithfield in North Carolina. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 27th at 1 PM at Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven, Connecticut.