Obituary of Frank Dolan

Obituary Francis Leo Dolan Francis Leo Dolan, age 87, died at Fort Nelson, British Columbia on Saturday November 22nd following several strokes. He was a northern pioneer and a long-time resident of Fort Nelson. Frank was born April 2nd 1927, in Ponteix, Saskatchewan. Though his roots were in the prairies, his heart was in the North. During WWll he wasn't of age to be in the army, and instead came to Edmonton to work on the new American Air Force base at nearby Namao. It was there he heard stories of the legendary Alcan Highway, which had just been completed. After the war, Frank headed north to become one of the early commercial truckers on the Alaska Highway. His first trip was from Dawson Creek to Whitehorse in the Fall of 1946, when the highway was still under military control. One of his most prized possessions was his original US Army issue drivers' license. He had many fond memories of his time working for Schmidt's North American Transport trucking company out of Dawson Creek. In 1947 Frank hauled pipe from Norman Wells, NWT as part of the dismantling of the wartime CANOL pipeline. In the early 1950's, during the Korean War, Frank trucked American army supplies up to Alaska. In June of 1952, Frank married Kay Parker. A year later, with baby Shannon in tow, Frank and Kay took over the Lum n' Abner's stopping place at Mile 233 on the Alaska Highway, which they ran until 1961. Frank and Kay moved to Fort Nelson, where they raised their family: daughters Shannon and Kate, and sons Pat, Bill, Barry and Danny. As a resident of Fort Nelson in the early years, Frank was instrumental in the planning and fundraising for the town's hospital fifty years ago, and was also a founding member of the Elks club. Frank was self-employed all his life, and throughout his career became very well known in northern B.C.'s Oil Patch. He ran the BA /Gulf bulk plant and service station, and later the Esso bulk plant in Fort Nelson. He was also very proud of his fleet of trucks which serviced gas stations along the highway and drilling rigs in the area. In the 1970's Frank and Kay switched gears, moving on to own Dolan Travel, and the Loomis Courier business in Fort Nelson. Frank loved to travel, and visited numerous foreign countries over the years, with Ireland being a favourite. Frank's personal legacy to his family is their beloved lake cabin near Dawson Creek. Frank purchased the property in 1968 and the Dolan family has many wonderful memories of their time together there. It continues to bring joy to his many descendents. Frank is survived by his children: Shannon (Leo), Bill (Cathy), Kate (Lloyd), Barry (Laurie), and Danny (João), grandchildren: Alaina, Laurisa, Devin, Patrick, Elene, Michael, Erin, Kelly, Lindsay, Brendan, and Shayna, along with 11 great grand children, and his sisters: Rita and RoseMary. He is also mourned by the extended Parker family who counted him as one of their own. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Alice Dolan, brothers Jack and Emmet, sisters Margaret and Teresa, son Patrick, and Kay Dolan. Funeral services for Frank Dolan were held Saturday November 29th, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fort Nelson B.C. Frank is buried in the Fort Nelson cemetery. In memory of Frank, donations may be made to the Northern Rockies Seniors Society Assisted Living Housing Project in Fort Nelson and Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The Dolan family would like to thank Drs. Haddingh and Mostert, Leslie Brndiar and all the nurses in the Special Care Unit, and the housekeeping/kitchen staff who brightened Frank's final days at the Fort Nelson hospital. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Northern Rockies Seniors Society (Fort Nelson's Assisted Living Housing Project) or Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Cemetery Details Fort Nelson Cemetery Fort Nelson, BC, Funeral Service NOV 29. 01:00 PM Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic Church Fort Nelson, BC, CA Services